Proverbs 24

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

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

2for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of mischief.

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 mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge than he who has strength;

6for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

7Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.

8He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.

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

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

11Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

12If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not requite man according to his work?

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

14Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

15Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do not violence to his home;

16for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles;

18lest the Lord see it, and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

19Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked;

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

21My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not disobey either of them;

22for disaster from them will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

23These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.

24He who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations;

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

26He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

27Prepare your work outside, get everything ready for you in the field; and after that build your house.

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

29Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

30I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man without sense;

31and lo, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

32Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.

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

34and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

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