MSB PROV Chapter 24

Do Not Envy

Saying 20

Do not envy wicked men

or desire their company

2 

for their hearts devise violence,

and their lips declare trouble.

3 

Saying 21

By wisdom a house is built

and by understanding it is established;

4 

through knowledge its rooms are filled

with every precious and beautiful treasure.

5 

Saying 22

A wise man [is] strong,[fn]

and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.

6 

Only with sound guidance should you wage war,

and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

7 

Saying 23

Wisdom [is] too high for a fool;

he does not open his mouth in the meeting place.

8 

Saying 24

He who plots evil

will be called a schemer

9 

A foolish scheme is sin,

and a mocker is detestable to men.

10 

Saying 25

If you faint in the day of distress,

how small [is] your strength!

11 

Rescue those being led away to death,

and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter

12 

If you say,“Behold, we did not know about this,”

does not He who weighs hearts consider it?

Does not the One who guards your life know?

Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

13 

Saying 26

Eat honey, my son, for it is good,

and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

14 

Know therefore that wisdom [is sweet] to your soul.

If you find it, there is a future [for you],

and your hope will never be cut off.

15 

Saying 27

Do not lie in wait, O wicked [man], near the dwelling of the righteous;

do not destroy his resting place.

16 

For though a righteous [man] may fall seven times, he still gets up;

but the wicked stumble in bad [times].

17 

Saying 28

Do not gloat when your enemy falls,

and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,

18 

or the LORD will see and disapprove

and turn His wrath away from him.

19 

Saying 29

Do not fret over evildoers,

and do not be envious of the wicked.

20 

For the evil [man] has no future;

the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

21 

Saying 30

My son, fear the LORD and the king,

and do not associate with the rebellious

22 

For they will bring sudden destruction.

Who knows what ruin [they] can bring?

23 

Further Sayings of the Wise

These also are sayings of the wise:

To show partiality in judgment

is not good.

24 

Whoever tells the guilty,“You are innocent”—

peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;

25 

but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,

and rich blessing will come upon them.

26 

An honest answer given

is like a kiss on the lips.

27 

Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field

after that, you may build your house.

28 

Do not testify against your neighbor without cause,

and do not deceive with your lips.

29 

Do not say,“I will do to him as he has done to me;

I will repay the man according to his work.”

30 

I went past the field of a slacker

and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment.

31 

Thorns had grown up everywhere,

thistles had covered the ground,

and the stone wall was broken down.

32 

I observed and took [it] to heart;

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 need like a bandit