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The Proverbs

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- Chapter 24 -

1
Do not imitate evil men, nor desire to be among them.
2
For their mind meditates on robberies, and their lips speak deceptions.

The meaning of wisdom

3
By wisdom shall a house be built, and by prudence shall it be strengthened.
4
By doctrine, the storerooms shall be filled with every substance that is precious and most beautiful.
5
A wise man is strong, and a well-taught man is robust and valiant.
6
For war is undertaken in an orderly manner, and safety shall be where there are many counsels.
7
Wisdom is beyond the foolish; at the gate he will not open his mouth.
8
Whoever intends to do evil shall be called foolish.
9
The intention of the foolish is sin. And the detractor is an abomination among men.
10
If you despair, being weary in the day of anguish, your strength will be diminished.
11
Rescue those who are led away to death. And do not cease from delivering those who are dragged away to a violent death.
12
If you would say: “I do not have sufficient strength.” He who inspects the heart, the same one understands, and nothing slips past the one who preserves your soul. And he shall repay a man according to his works.

Advice to a son

13
My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the honeycomb, because it is so sweet to your throat.(a)
14
So, too, is the doctrine of wisdom to your soul. When you have found it, you will have hope in the end, and your hope shall not perish.
15
Do not lie in wait, and do not seek impiety in the house of the just, nor spoil his rest.
16
For the just one will fall seven times, and he shall rise again. But the impious will fall into evil.
17
When your enemy will fall, do not be glad, and do not let your heart exult in his ruin,
18
lest perhaps the Lord see, and it displease him, and he may take away his wrath from him.
19
Do not contend with the most wicked, and do not be a rival to the impious.
20
For the evil hold no hope in the future, and the lamp of the impious will be extinguished.
21
My son, fear the Lord, as well as the king. And do not mingle with detractors.
22
For their perdition shall rise up suddenly. And who knows what ruin will be for each of them?

The sayings of the wise

23
Likewise, these things are for the wise. It is not good to base judgment on knowledge of character.
24
Those who say to the impious, “You are just,” shall be cursed by the people, and the tribes shall detest them.
25
Those who argue against the impious shall be praised, and a blessing shall come upon them.
26
He shall kiss the lips, who responds with upright words.
27
Prepare your outdoor work, and diligently cultivate your field, so that afterward, you may build your house.
28
Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor. And do not mislead anyone with your lips.
29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me.” I will repay each one according to his work.
30
I passed by the field of a lazy man, and by the vineyard of a foolish man,
31
and behold, it was entirely filled with nettles, and thorns had covered its surface, and the stonewall was destroyed.
32
When I had seen this, I laid it up in my heart, and by this example, I received discipline.
33
You will sleep a little,” I said. “You will slumber briefly. You will fold your hands a little, so as to rest.
34
And destitution will overtake you like a runner, and begging will overtake you like an armed man.”

Footnotes

(a)24:13 The superlative does not always mean the one that is above all others. It often is merely a way to emphasize a particular quality, e.g. not ‘the sweetest,’ but rather ‘so sweet’ or ‘very sweet’.(Conte)
1
Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;
2
for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.

The meaning of wisdom

3
Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
4
by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5
A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,
6
for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.
7
Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
8
One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
9
The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
10
If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
11
Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
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?

Advice to a son

13
My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
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.
15
Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;
16
for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17
Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
18
lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19
Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;
20
for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21
My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,
22
for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?

The sayings of the wise

23
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24
He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25
but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
26
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27
Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28
Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
29
Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
30
I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.
31
Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
32
Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
33
a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34
so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.
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