Proverbs, 24

24:1 Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;

24:2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.

24:3 By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established;

24:4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

24:5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.

24:6 Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place.

24:8 He who plots evil will be called a schemer.

24:9 A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men.

24:10 If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!

24:11 Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.

24:12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

24:13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

24:14 Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.

24:15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.

24:16 For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.

24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,

24:18 or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

24:19 Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked.

24:20 For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.

24:22 For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring?

24:23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24:24 Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”—peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;

24:25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.

24:26 An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.

24:27 Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.

24:28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

24:30 I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment.

24:31 Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down.

24:32 I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction:

24:33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

24:34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.