Proverbs 24:1-12

¹My son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.

²For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.

³A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.

⁴By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.

⁵A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.

⁶War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.

⁷Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,

⁸but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed men.

⁹The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness attaches to a pestilent man.

¹⁰He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.

¹¹Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not your help.

¹²But if you should say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.