1 Don’t be envious of wicked men or wish you were with them, ISV — Proverbs 24:1
2 because they a24:2 Lit. because their hearts plan violence, and they are always talking b24:2 Lit. and their lips talk about trouble. ISV — Proverbs 24:2
3 By wisdom a house is built; it is made secure through understanding. ISV — Proverbs 24:3
4 By knowledge its rooms are furnished with all sorts of expensive and beautiful goods. ISV — Proverbs 24:4
5 A wise man is strong, c24:5 So MT; LXX reads Being wise is better than being strong and a knowledgeable man grows in strength. ISV — Proverbs 24:5
6 For through wise counsel you will wage your war, and victory lies in an abundance of advisors. ISV — Proverbs 24:6
7 Wisdom lies beyond reach of the fool; he has nothing to say in court. d24:7 Lit. in the gate ISV — Proverbs 24:7
8 The person who plans on doing evil will be called a schemer. ISV — Proverbs 24:8
9 To devise folly is sin, and people detest a scoffer. ISV — Proverbs 24:9
10 If you grow weary when times are troubled, your strength is limited. e24:10 Or undersized ISV — Proverbs 24:10
11 Rescue those who are being led away to death, and save those who stumble toward slaughter. ISV — Proverbs 24:11
12 If you say, “Look here, we didn’t know about this,” doesn’t God, f24:12 Lit. he who examines motives, g24:12 Lit. examines the heart discern it? Doesn’t the one who guards your soul know about it? Won’t he repay each person according to what he has done? ISV — Proverbs 24:12
13 My son, eat honey, because it’s good for you; h24:13 The Heb. lacks for you indeed, drippings from the honeycomb are sweet to your taste; ISV — Proverbs 24:13
14 Keep in mind that wisdom is like that for your soul; if you find it, there will be a future for you, and what you hope for won’t be cut short. ISV — Proverbs 24:14
15 Don’t lie in wait like an outlaw to attack where the righteous live; ISV — Proverbs 24:15
16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again, but the wicked stumble into calamity. ISV — Proverbs 24:16
17 Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls; don’t let yourself be glad when he stumbles. ISV — Proverbs 24:17
18 Otherwise the LORD will observe and disapprove, and he will turn his anger away from him. ISV — Proverbs 24:18
19 Don’t be anxious about those who practice evil, and don’t be envious of the wicked. ISV — Proverbs 24:19
20 For the wicked man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. ISV — Proverbs 24:20
21 My son, fear both the LORD and the king, and don’t keep company with rebels. ISV — Proverbs 24:21
22 They will be destroyed suddenly, and who knows what kind of punishment will come from these two? ISV — Proverbs 24:22
23 Here are some more proverbs from wise people: It isn’t good to show partiality in judgment. ISV — Proverbs 24:23
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You’re in the right,” will be cursed by people and hated by nations. ISV — Proverbs 24:24
25 But as for people who rebuke the wicked; i24:25 The Heb. lacks the wicked a good blessing will fall upon them. ISV — Proverbs 24:25
26 A kiss on the lips— that’s what someone who gives an honest answer deserves. j24:26 The Heb. lacks deserves ISV — Proverbs 24:26
27 First do your outside work, preparing your land for yourself. After that, build your house. ISV — Proverbs 24:27
28 Don’t testify against your neighbor without a cause, and don’t lie when you speak. k24:28 Lit. don’t deceive with your lips ISV — Proverbs 24:28
29 Don’t say, “I’ll do to him like he did to me, I’ll be sure to pay him back for what he did.” ISV — Proverbs 24:29
30 I went by the field belonging to a lazy man, by a vineyard belonging to a senseless person. ISV — Proverbs 24:30
31 There it was, overgrown with thistles, the ground covered with thorns, its stone wall collapsed. ISV — Proverbs 24:31
32 As I observed, I thought about it; I watched, and learned a lesson: ISV — Proverbs 24:32
33 “A little sleep! A little slumber! A little folding of my hands to rest!” ISV — Proverbs 24:33
34 Then your poverty will come upon you like a robber, your need like an armed bandit. ISV — Proverbs 24:34