24:1  BE NOT envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them;

24:2  For their minds plot oppression {and} devise violence, and their lips talk of causing trouble {and} vexation.

24:3  Through skillful {and} godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],

24:4  And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

24:5  A wise man is strong {and} {is better than a strong man}, and a man of knowledge increases {and} strengthens his power;

24:6  For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory {and} safety.

24:7  Wisdom is too high for a fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate [where the city's rulers sit in judgment].

24:8  He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.

24:9  The plans of the foolish {and} the thought of foolishness are sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.

24:10  If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

24:11  Deliver those who are drawn away to death, and those who totter to the slaughter, hold them back [from their doom].

24:12  If you [profess ignorance and] say, Behold, we did not know this, does not He Who weighs {and} ponders the heart perceive {and} consider it? And He Who guards your life, does not He know it? And shall not He render to [you and] every man according to his works?

24:13  My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

24:14  So shall you know skillful {and} godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future {and} a reward, and your hope {and} expectation shall not be cut off.

24:15  Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God); destroy not his resting-place;

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

24:17  Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles {or} is overthrown,

24:18  Lest the Lord see it and it be evil in His eyes {and} displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender].

24:19  Fret not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked,

24:20  For there shall be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

24:21  My son, [reverently] fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],

24:22  For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment {and} ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon [the rebellious]?

24:23  These also are sayings of the wise: To discriminate {and} show partiality, having respect of persons in judging, is not good.

24:24  He who says to the wicked, You are righteous {and} innocent--peoples will curse him, nations will defy {and} abhor him.

24:25  But to those [upright judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them {and} they will find delight, and a good blessing will be upon them.

24:26  He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who give a right answer.

24:27  [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house {and} establish a home.

24:28  Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips.

24:29  Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed.

24:30  I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

24:31  And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down.

24:32  Then I beheld {and} considered it well; I looked {and} received instruction.

24:33  Yet 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.