24:1 Dont be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:
24:2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.
24:3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
24:4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
24:5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
24:6 for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.
24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesnt open his mouth in the gate.
24:8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
24:9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
24:10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
24:11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
24:12 If you say, Behold, we didnt know this; doesnt he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesnt he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
24:14 so 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.
24:15 Dont lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Dont destroy his resting place:
24:16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
24:17 Dont rejoice when your enemy falls. Dont let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
24:18 lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
24:19 Dont fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:
24:20 for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
24:21 My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Dont join those who are rebellious:
24:22 for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them bothwho knows?
24:23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24:24 He who says to the wicked, You are righteous; peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him
24:25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
24:26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
24:27 Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
24:28 Dont be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Dont deceive with your lips.
24:29 Dont say, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.
24:30 I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
24:31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
24:32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
24:33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;
24:34 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.