Precepts and Warnings
Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their [a]minds plot violence,
And their lips talk of trouble.
And by understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
And a person of knowledge [c]increases power.
6 For by wise guidance you will [d]wage war,
And in an abundance of counselors there is victory.
He does not open his mouth at the gate.
People will call a [e]schemer.
9 The devising of foolishness is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to humanity.
Your strength is meager.
And those who are staggering to the slaughter, Oh hold them back!
12 If you say, “See, we did not know this,”
Does He who weighs the hearts not consider it?
And does He who watches over your soul not know it?
And will He not [f]repay a person according to his work?
Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
14 Know that wisdom is the same for your soul;
If you find it, then there will be a [g]future,
And your hope will not be cut off.
Do not destroy his resting place;
16 For a righteous person falls seven times and rises again,
But the wicked stumble in time of disaster.
And do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,
18 Otherwise, the Lord will see and [h]be displeased,
And turn His anger away from him.
Or be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no [i]future for the evil person;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
Do not get involved with those [k]of high rank,
22 For their disaster will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin that can come from both of them?
To [l]show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 One who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Peoples will curse him, nations will scold him;
25 But for those who rebuke the wicked there will be delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 One who gives [m]a right answer
Kisses the lips.
And make it ready for yourself in the field;
Afterward, then, build your house.
And do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “I shall do the same to him as he has done to me;
I will [n]repay the person according to his work.”
And by the vineyard of a person lacking [p]sense,
31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with weeds;
Its surface was covered with weeds,
And its stone wall was broken down.
32 When I saw, I [q]reflected upon it;
I looked, and received instruction.
33 “A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest,”
34 Then your poverty will come like [r]a drifter,
And your need like [s]an armed man.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:2 Lit hearts
- Proverbs 24:5 Lit in strength
- Proverbs 24:5 Lit strengthens power
- Proverbs 24:6 Lit make battle for yourself
- Proverbs 24:8 Or deviser of evil
- Proverbs 24:12 Lit bring back to
- Proverbs 24:14 Lit latter end
- Proverbs 24:18 Lit it is evil in His eyes
- Proverbs 24:20 Lit latter end
- Proverbs 24:21 Or revere
- Proverbs 24:21 Or who change
- Proverbs 24:23 Lit regard the face
- Proverbs 24:26 Or an honest
- Proverbs 24:29 Lit bring back
- Proverbs 24:30 Lit an idle
- Proverbs 24:30 Lit heart
- Proverbs 24:32 Lit set my heart
- Proverbs 24:34 Lit one who moves about
- Proverbs 24:34 Lit a man with a shield