Proverbs

Proverbs 24 ©

Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.

1

BE not thou aenvious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

2

For btheir heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

3

cThrough wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

4

And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with dall precious and pleasant riches.

5

A ewise man is 1strong; yea, a man of knowledge 2increaseth strength.

6

For fby wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7

gWisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8

He hthat deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9

The ithought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

10

If jthou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is 3small.

11

If kthou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

12

If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that lpondereth the heart consider it? and he mthat keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it ? and shall not he render to every man according nto his works?

13

My son, oeat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet 4to thy taste:

14

pSo shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, qthen there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

15

rLay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

16

For sa just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17

tRejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

18

Lest the LORD see it, and 5it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19

6*Fret not thyself ubecause of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20

For vthere shall be no reward to the evil man; wthe 7candle of the wicked shall be put out.

21

My son, xfear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with 8them that are given to change:

22

For ytheir calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

23

zThese things also belong to the wise. It is anot good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24

He bthat saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

25

cBut to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and 9a good blessing shall come upon them.

26

dEvery man shall kiss his lips 10that giveth a right answer.

27

ePrepare thy work *without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

28

fBe not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

29

gSay not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

30

I hwent by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31

And, ilo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone jwall thereof was broken down.

j Is. 5.5.
32

Then I saw, and 11considered it well: I looked upon it, and kreceived instruction.

33

Yet la little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34

mSo shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as 12an armed man.