Proverbs 24

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