Proverbs [Sayings] 24:1-23

¹Don’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:

²for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.

³Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;

⁴by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

⁵A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;

⁶for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisers.

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

⁸One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.

⁹The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

¹⁰If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.

¹¹Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

¹²If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this;” does not he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does not he know it? Surely he shall render to every man according to his work.

¹³My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:

¹⁴so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off.

¹⁵Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the upright. Don’t destroy his resting place:

¹⁶for a upright man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

¹⁷Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;

¹⁸lest Adonai see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

¹⁹Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:

²⁰for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp candle of the wicked shall be snuffed out.

²¹My son, fear Adonai and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious:

²²for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both— who knows?

²³These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.