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. |