Proverbs 24

1Do not be envious of those who are evil,

nor desire to associate with them,

2because their hearts plot violence

and their lips talk about trouble.

3Through wisdom a house is built

and by understanding it is established.

4By knowledge the rooms are filled

with all precious and pleasant riches.

5A warrior of wisdom is strong,

and a man of knowledge increases his strength;

6for by wise direction you can wage your war

and with many advisors there is victory.

7Wisdom is too high for a fool;

in the gate he does not open his mouth.

8There is one who plans to do evil—

people call him a master of schemes.

9A foolish plan is sin

and men despise a mocker.

10If you become weak with fear in the day of trouble,

then your strength is small.

11Rescue those who are being taken away to death

and hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter.

12If you say, “Behold, we knew nothing about this,”

does not the one who weighs the heart understand what you are saying?

The one who guards your life, does he not know it?

Will God not give to each one what he deserves?

13My son, eat honey because it is good,

because the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

14Such is wisdom for your soul—

if you find it, there will be a future

and your hope will not be cut off.

15Do not lie in wait like the wicked person

who attacks the house of the righteous person.

Do not destroy his home!

16For the righteous person falls down seven times and rises again,

but wicked people are brought down by calamity.

17Do not celebrate when your enemy falls

and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,

18or Yahweh will see and disapprove

and turn away his wrath from him.

19Do not worry because of evildoers,

and do not envy wicked people,

20for the evil person has no future

and the lamp of wicked people will go out.

21Fear Yahweh, and fear the king, my son;

do not associate with those who rebel against them,

22for suddenly their disaster will come

and who knows the extent of the destruction that will come from both of them?

23These also are sayings of the wise.

Partiality in judging a case at law is not good.

24Whoever says to the wicked person, “You are a righteous person,”

will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations.

25But those who discipline the wicked will have delight

and gifts of goodness will come to them.

26The one who gives an honest answer

gives a kiss on the lips.

27Prepare your outdoor work,

and make everything ready for yourself in the field;

after that, build your house.

28Do not bear witness against your neighbor without cause

and do not deceive with your lips.

29Do not say, “I will do to him what he has done to me;

I will pay him back for what he has done.”

30I went by the field of a lazy man,

past the vineyard of the man having no sense.

31Thorns had grown up everywhere,

the ground was covered with nettles,

and its stone wall was broken down.

32Then I saw and considered it;

I looked and received instruction.

33A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest—

34and poverty comes marching upon you,

and your needs like an armed soldier.