The Proverbs

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 24 -

Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

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

The meaning of wisdom

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

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

A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.(a)

(b)

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

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

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

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

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.(c)

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

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

Advice to a son

My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:(d)

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

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

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

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

Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.(e)

Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;(f)

For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.(g)

My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:(h)

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

The sayings of the wise

These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

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

But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.(i)

Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.(j)

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

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

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

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

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

Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.(k)

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

So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.(l)

Footnotes

(a)24:5 is strong: Heb. is in strength

(b)24:5 increaseth…: Heb. strengtheneth might

(d)24:13 to…: Heb. upon thy palate

(e)24:18 it displease…: Heb. it be evil in his eyes

(f)24:19 Fret…: or, Keep not company with the wicked

(g)24:20 candle: or, lamp

(h)24:21 them…: Heb. changers

(i)24:25 a good…: Heb. a blessing of good

(j)24:26 that…: Heb. that answereth right words

(k)24:32 considered…: Heb. set my heart

(l)24:34 an…: Heb. a man of shield

Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;

for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.

The meaning of wisdom

Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,

for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.

Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.

One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.

The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.

Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

Advice to a son

My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;

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.

Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;

for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,

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

Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;

for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,

for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?

The sayings of the wise

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

He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—

but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.

Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.

Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,

so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.