24:1  Don't be envious of evil men; Neither desire to be with them:

24:2  For their hearts plot violence, And their lips talk about mischief.

24:3  Through wisdom a house is built; By understanding it is established;

24:4  By knowledge the rooms are filled With all rare and beautiful treasure.

24:5  A wise man has great power; And a knowledgeable man increases strength;

24:6  For by wise guidance you wage your war; And victory is in many advisors.

24:7  Wisdom is too high for a fool: He doesn't open his mouth in the gate.

24:8  One who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.

24:9  The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

24:10  If you falter in the time of trouble, Your strength is small.

24:11  Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

24:12  If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" Doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

24:13  My son, eat honey, for it is good; The droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:

24:14  So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; If you have found it, then there will be a reward, Your hope will not be cut off.

24:15  Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting-place:

24:16  For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

24:17  Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;

24:18  Lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.

24:19  Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; Neither be envious of the wicked:

24:20  For there will be no reward to the evil man; And the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.

24:21  My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious:

24:22  For their calamity will rise suddenly; The destruction from them both--who knows?

24:23  These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24:24  He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" Peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him--

24:25  But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, And a rich blessing will come on them.

24:26  An honest answer Is like a kiss on the lips.

24:27  Prepare your work outside, And get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

24:28  Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips.

24:29  Don't say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

24:30  I went by the field of the sluggard, By the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

24:31  Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down.

24:32  Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

24:33  A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep;

24:34  So shall your poverty come as a robber, And your want as an armed man.