Chapter 24
1 Don’t be envious of evil men , neither desire to be with them ;
2 for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief .
3 Through wisdom a house is built ; by understanding it is established ;
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5 A wise man has great power . A knowledgeable man increases strength ,
6 for by wise guidance you wage your war , and victory is in many advisors.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate .
8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer .
9 The schemes of folly are sin . The mocker is detested by men.
10 If you falter in the time of trouble , your strength is small .
11 Rescue those who are being led away to death ! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter !
12 If you say , " Behold , we didn’t know this ," doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it ? He who keeps your soul , doesn’t he know it ? Shall he not give to every man according to his work ?
13 My son , eat honey , for it is good , the droppings of the honeycomb , which are sweet to your taste ;
14 so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul . If you have found it , then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off .
15 Don’t lay in wait, wicked man , against the habitation of the righteous . Don’t destroy his resting place ;
16 for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again , but the wicked are overthrown by calamity .
17 Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls . Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown ,
18 lest the LORD see it , and it displease him , and he turn away his wrath from him .
19 Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers , neither be envious of the wicked ;
20 for there will be no reward to the evil man . The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out .
21 My son , fear the LORD and the king . Don’t join those who are rebellious,
22 for their calamity will rise suddenly . Who knows what destruction may come from them both ?
23 These also are sayings of the wise : To show partiality in judgement is not good .
24 He who says to the wicked , " You are righteous ," peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them .
26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips .
27 Prepare your work outside , and get your fields ready . Afterwards, build your house .
28 Don’t be a witness against your neighbour without cause . Don’t deceive with your lips .
29 Don’t say , " I will do to him as he has done to me ; I will repay the man according to his work ."
30 I went by the field of the sluggard , by the vineyard of the man void of understanding .
31 Behold , it was all grown over with thorns . Its surface was covered with nettles , and its stone wall was broken down .
32 Then I saw , and considered well . I saw , and received instruction :
33 a little sleep , a little slumber , a little folding of the hands to sleep ,
34 so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.