Proverbs 24

1Do not envy evil people, and do not long to be with them,

2for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

3By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is made firm;

4by knowledge its rooms are filled with all kinds of precious and pleasant wealth.

5A wise person is full of strength, and a person of knowledge grows in power,

6for with wise guidance you wage your war, and victory comes through many advisers.

7Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.

8Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.

9The scheming of folly is sin, and a mocker is detestable to people.

10If you lose heart in the day of trouble, your strength is small.

11Rescue those being taken away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

12If you say, “Look, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs hearts understand? Does not he who guards your life know? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

13My son, eat honey, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

14Know that wisdom is like this for your soul; if you find it, there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

15Do not lie in wait, you wicked person, against the home of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place,

16for a righteous person falls seven times and gets up again, but the wicked stumble into disaster.

17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles,

18or Yahweh will see it and be displeased, and turn his anger away from him.

19Do not fret because of evildoers, and do not envy the wicked,

20for the evil person has no future; the lamp of the wicked will go out.

21My son, fear Yahweh and the king; do not get involved with those who are given to change,

22for disaster will rise against them suddenly, and who knows the ruin the two of them can bring?

23These also are sayings of the wise: Showing partiality in judgment is not good.

24Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” peoples will curse him and nations will denounce him.

25But it will go well with those who rebuke the wicked, and a rich blessing will come on them.

26Whoever gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips.

27Prepare your work outside and get your field ready; after that, build your house.

28Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or deceive with your lips.

29Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay him back for what he did.”

30I passed by the field of a lazy person, by the vineyard of someone lacking sense.

31There were thorns growing up all over it, weeds covered the ground, and its stone wall was broken down.

32I looked and took it to heart; I saw and learned a lesson.

33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—

34and your poverty will come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.