nor desire to be with them;
2 for their minds devise violence,
and their lips talk of mischief.
and by understanding it is established;
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is mightier than a strong man,[a]
and a man of knowledge than he who has strength;
6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool;
in the gate he does not open his mouth.
will be called a mischief-maker.
9 The devising of folly is sin,
and the scoffer is an abomination to men.
your strength is small.
11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not requite man according to his work?
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
do not violence to his home;
16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again;
but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 lest the Lord see it, and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.
and be not envious of the wicked;
20 for the evil man has no future;
the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
and do not disobey either of them;[b]
22 for disaster from them will rise suddenly,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
Further Sayings of the Wise
23 These also are sayings of the wise.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations;
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
and a good blessing will be upon them.
26 He who gives a right answer
kisses the lips.
get everything ready for you in the field;
and after that build your house.
and do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
by the vineyard of a man without sense;
31 and lo, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:5 Gk Compare Syr Tg: Heb is in strength
- Proverbs 24:21 Gk: Heb do not associate with those who change