Proverbs 24

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

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1Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,

2for their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

3By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;

4by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases strength,

6for by wise counsel will you wage your war, and in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

7Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate.

8He who plans to do evil will be called a master of schemes.

9The devising of folly is sin, and the mocker is an abomination to men.

10If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

11Deliver those who are drawn away toward death; hold back those stumbling toward slaughter.

12If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the heart consider it? Does not He who keeps your soul know it? Will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

13My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste.

14So will the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

15Lay not in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; plunder not his resting place,

16for a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown in evil.

17Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be joyful when he stumbles,

18lest the Lord see it, and it is evil in His eyes, and He turn away His wrath from him.

19Fret not because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked,

20for there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those given to change,

22for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin those two can bring?

23These also are sayings of the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.

24He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” him will the people curse; nations will detest him,

25but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.

26He who gives an answer that is right gives a kiss on the lips.

27Set in order your outside work, make it ready for yourself in the field, and afterwards build your house.

28Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips.

29Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his deed.”

30I passed by the field of the sluggard, and went past the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding,

31and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns, and nettles had covered its surface, and its stone wall was broken down.

32Then I saw and considered it well in my heart; I looked on it and received instruction.

33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest;

34so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your want like an armed man.

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