Proverbs 24 - New American Standard Bible 1995 with Strong Numbers

Precepts and Warnings

¹ Do not be enviousof evilmen,Nordesireto be with them;

² For their mindsdeviseviolence,And their lipstalkof trouble.

³ By wisdoma houseis built,And by understandingit is established;

⁴ And by knowledgethe roomsare filledWith allpreciousand pleasantriches.

⁵ A wisemanis strong,And a manof knowledgeincreasespower.

⁶ For by wiseguidanceyou will wagewar,And in abundanceof counselorsthere is victory.

⁷ Wisdomis [too] exaltedfor a fool,He does not openhis mouthin the gate.

⁸ One who plansto doevil,Men will calla schemer.

⁹ The devisingof follyis sin,And the scofferis an abominationto men.

¹⁰ If you are slackin the dayof distress,Your strengthis limited.

¹¹ Deliverthose who are being takenaway to death,And those who are staggeringto slaughter,Ohhold[them] back.

¹² Ifyou say,"See,we did not knowthis,"Does He not consider[it] who weighsthe hearts?And does He not know[it] who keepsyour soul?And will He not renderto manaccording to his work?

¹³ My son,eathoney,for it is good,Yes, the honeyfrom the combis sweetto your taste;

¹⁴ Know[that] wisdomis thusfor your soul;Ifyou find[it], then therewill be a future,And your hopewill not be cutoff.

¹⁵ Do not liein wait,O wickedman,against the dwellingof the righteous;Do not destroyhis restingplace;

¹⁶ For a righteousmanfallsseventimes,and risesagain, But the wickedstumblein [time of] calamity.

¹⁷ Do not rejoicewhen your enemyfalls,And do not let your heartbe gladwhen he stumbles;

¹⁸ Orthe LORDwill see[it] and be displeased,And turnHis angerawayfrom him.

¹⁹ Do not fretbecause of evildoersOr be enviousof the wicked;

²⁰ For there will be nofuturefor the evilman;The lampof the wickedwill be putout.

²¹ My son,fearthe LORDand the king;Do not associatewith those who are givento change,

²² For their calamitywill risesuddenly,And whoknowsthe ruin[that comes] from bothof them?

²³ Thesealsoare sayings of the wise.To showpartialityin judgmentis not good.

²⁴ He who saysto the wicked,"You are righteous,"Peopleswill cursehim, nationswill abhorhim;

²⁵ But to those who rebukethe [wicked] will be delight,And a goodblessingwill comeupon them.

²⁶ He kissesthe lipsWho givesa rightanswer.

²⁷ Prepareyour workoutsideAnd makeit readyfor yourself in the field;Afterwards,then, buildyour house.

²⁸ Do not be a witnessagainst your neighborwithoutcause,And do not deceivewith your lips.

²⁹ Donot say,"ThusI shall doto him as he has doneto me; I will renderto the manaccording to his work."

³⁰ I passedby the fieldof the sluggardAnd by the vineyardof the manlackingsense,

³¹ And behold,it was completelyovergrownwith thistles;Its surfacewas coveredwith nettles,And its stonewallwas brokendown.

³² When I saw,I reflectedupon it; I looked,[and] receivedinstruction.

³³ "A littlesleep,a littleslumber,A littlefoldingof the handsto rest,"

³⁴ Then your povertywill come[as] a robberAnd your wantlike an armedman.