Proverbs 24
1MY son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them;
2for their hearts study falsehood; and their lips utter mischief.
3By wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established.
4By knowledge chambers are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5Better is a wise man than one who is strong: and the man who hath understanding, than he who hath a large cultivated field.
6By strategic guidance war is conducted; and rescue is near a heart instructed by counsel.
7Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise; the wise turn not away from the commandment of the Lord: but they meditate in council.
9Death meeteth the uninstructed, and a fool dieth by sins. In a man who is self-willed, arrogant and boastful there is impurity:
10in an evil day and a day of adversity, he will be stained deeper and deeper, until he utterly faint.
11Deliver them who are to be led away to death; and intercede for them who are to be slain, make no delay.
12If thou shouldst say, I do not know this man: know that the Lord knoweth the hearts of all, and that He, Who gave breath to all, knoweth all things and will render to everyone according to his works.
13My son, eat honey (for a honeycomb is good) that thy palate may be sweetened.
14In like manner let thy soul taste wisdom; for if thou find it, thy end will be good and hope will not forsake thee.
15Lead not the ungodly into the pasture of the righteous; nor be led astray for a bellyful of fodder.
16For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again; but in calamities the wicked shall be without strength.
17If thine enemy fall, rejoice not over him; nor be elated at his stumbling:
18for the Lord will see and it will displease him, and He will turn away His wrath from him.
19Rejoice not over evil-doers nor envy sinners.
20For the posterity of an evil one cannot continue; and the lamp of the wicked shall be extinguished.
21My son, fear God and the king, and be not disobedient to either of them.
22For they can suddenly punish the wicked; and their punishments who can know?
A son who keepeth the word shall be far from destruction; for he hath received it to effect.
Let no falsehood be uttered from the mouth of a king, and from his tongue let no falsehood proceed.
The tongue of a king is a sword and not flesh; whosoever is delivered up to it shall be destroyed. For if his wrath be sharpened, it killeth men with thongs; and devoureth the bones of men, and like a flame burneth them up, so that they cannot be eaten [even] by young eagles. Respect my words, son; receive them and reform.
23But this I say for you who are wise to know: it is not good to respect a person under judgment.
24He who saith of the wicked, He is not guilty, shall be cursed by the tribes and hateful to the nations:
25but they who reprove shall appear better; and upon them a blessing shall come.
26Lips will kiss the things which convey good words.
27Prepare thy works for the time of going out, and be in complete preparation for the field and come after me; then thou shalt build thyself a house.
28Be not a false witness against thy fellow citizen, nor overstate with thy lips.
29Do not say: I will use him as he hath used me, and punish him for the injuries he hath done me.
30A fool is like a field, and a man void of understanding, like a vineyard;
31if thou lettest them alone, they will be overrun with weeds and grass, and become useless, and their stone fences will be thrown down.
32’I have at length repented and looked about, with a view to choose instruction.
33I am dozing a little—just taking a short nap—just infolding my breast with my hands.’
34If such indeed be thy conduct; poverty will come upon thee like a traveller and want like a swift courier.