Proverbs 24

₁Don't be envious of evil people, and don't try to make friends with them. ₂Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt.

₃Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding. ₄Where there is knowledge, the rooms are furnished with valuable, beautiful things.

₅Being wise is better than being strong; yes, knowledge is more important than strength. ₆After all, you must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win.

₇Wise sayings are too deep for stupid people to understand. They have nothing to say when important matters are being discussed.

₈If you are always planning evil, you will earn a reputation as a troublemaker. ₉Any scheme a fool thinks up is sinful. People hate a person who has nothing but scorn for others.

₁₀If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.

₁₁Don't hesitate to rescue someone who is about to be executed unjustly. ₁₂You may say that it is none of your business, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you; he knows. And he will reward you according to what you do.

₁₃Son, eat honey; it is good. And just as honey from the comb is sweet on your tongue, ₁₄you may be sure that wisdom is good for the soul. Get wisdom and you have a bright future.

₁₅Don't be like the wicked who scheme to rob honest people or to take away their homes. ₁₆No matter how often honest people fall, they always get up again; but disaster destroys the wicked.

₁₇Don't be glad when your enemies meet disaster, and don't rejoice when they stumble. ₁₈The LORD will know if you are gloating, and he will not like it; and then he might not punish them.

₁₉Don't let evil people worry you; don't be envious of them. ₂₀A wicked person has no future — nothing to look forward to.

₂₁Have reverence for the LORD, my child, and honour the king. Have nothing to do with people who rebel against them; ₂₂such people could be ruined in a moment. Do you realize the disaster that God or the king can cause?

₂₃The wise have also said these things:

It is wrong for judges to be prejudiced. ₂₄If they pronounce a guilty person innocent, they will be cursed and hated by everyone. ₂₅Judges who punish the guilty, however, will be prosperous and enjoy a good reputation.

₂₆An honest answer is a sign of true friendship.

₂₇Don't build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living.

₂₈Don't give evidence against someone else without good reason, or say misleading things about him. ₂₉Don't say, “I'll do to him just what he did to me! I'll get even with him!”

₃₀I walked through the fields and vineyards of a lazy, stupid person. ₃₁They were full of thorn bushes and overgrown with weeds. The stone wall round them had fallen down. ₃₂I looked at this, thought about it, and learned a lesson from it: ₃₃have a nap and sleep if you want to. Fold your hands and rest awhile, ₃₄but while you are asleep, poverty will attack you like an armed robber.