Proverbs 24
- 1
Do not envy wicked men or desire their company; Begin Abide·
- 2
for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble. Begin Abide·
- 3
By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; Begin Abide·
- 4
through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure. Begin Abide·
- 5
A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength. Begin Abide·
- 6
Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors. Begin Abide·
- 7
Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place. Begin Abide·
- 8
He who plots evil will be called a schemer. Begin Abide·
- 9
A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men. Begin Abide·
- 10
If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength! Begin Abide·
- 11
Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. Begin Abide·
- 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? Begin Abide·
- 13
Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. Begin Abide·
- 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. Begin Abide·
- 15
Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place. Begin Abide·
- 16
For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times. Begin Abide·
- 17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, Begin Abide·
- 18
or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him. Begin Abide·
- 19
Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. Begin Abide·
- 20
For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. Begin Abide·
- 21
My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious. Begin Abide·
- 22
For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring? Begin Abide·
- 23
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. Begin Abide·
- 24
Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”—peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him; Begin Abide·
- 25
but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them. Begin Abide·
- 26
An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips. Begin Abide·
- 27
Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house. Begin Abide·
- 28
Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Begin Abide·
- 29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.” Begin Abide·
- 30
I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. Begin Abide·
- 31
Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. Begin Abide·
- 32
I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: Begin Abide·
- 33
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, Begin Abide·
- 34
and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. Begin Abide·