Proverbs of Solomon 24

 Proverbs of Solomon 24

1 Do not envy evil men, nor desire to be with them,

2 For their heart plots robbery, and their lips speak wickedly.

3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.

4 And by knowledge the chambers are filled with all precious and pleasant things.

5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge strengthens strength.

6 For by wise counsel you will wage war, and in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

7 All wisdom is too high for a fool; he will not open his mouth in the gate.

8 He who devises evil will be called a teacher of evil devices.

9 The thoughts of a fool are sin, and a scoffer is an abomination to men.

10 If you are weak in the day of adversity, your strength will be small. 

11 Deliver those who are destined for death, and those who are led away to slaughter, if you can bring them out.

12 If you say, "Behold, we do not know," will not He who weighs the hearts consider it? And He who looks at your soul, will not He who considers your life know it? Will He not repay a man according to his work?

13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb, for it is sweet to your taste.

14 Such will be the knowledge of wisdom for your soul; if you find it, there will be a reward for you, and your expectation will not be cut off.

15 Do not spy on the dwelling of the righteous, O wicked man, nor destroy his chamber.

16 For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble over evil.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, nor let your heart be glad when he stumbles. 

18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his anger from him.

19 Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked.

20 For the evil one will have no reward, and the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

21 Fear the Lord, my son, and the king, and do not have anything to do with those who seek change.

22 For their calamity will suddenly arise, and who can know their ruin?

23 These are also proverbs of the wise: Showing respect for persons in judgment is not good.

24 Whoever says to the wicked, 'You are righteous,' will be cursed by the peoples, and nations will abhor him.

25 But those who rebuke will find delight, and a blessing of good will come upon them. 

26 Kiss with your lips the one who answers with upright words.

27 Prepare your work outside, and make it ready in the field, and then build your house.

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause; why would you deceive with your lips?

29 Do not say, 'As he did to me, so I will do to him; I will repay each person according to their work.'

30 I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 And behold, it was all overgrown with thistles, its surface overgrown with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 When I saw it, I considered it; and seeing it, I received instruction.

33 A little sleep, slumbering a little, folding your hands a little to lie down;

34 So poverty will come upon you like a thief, and want like an armed man.