Proverbs 24
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1Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company;1Don't be envious of wicked men or wish you were with them,
2for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.2because they plan violence, and they are always talking about trouble.
3By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;3By wisdom a house is built; it is made secure through understanding.
4through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.4By knowledge its rooms are furnished with all sorts of expensive and beautiful goods.
5The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.5A wise man is strong, and a knowledgeable man grows in strength.
6Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.6For through wise counsel you will wage your war, and victory lies in an abundance of advisors.
7Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.7Wisdom lies beyond reach of the fool; he has nothing to say in court.
8Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer.8The person who plans on doing evil will be called a schemer.
9The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.9To devise folly is sin, and people detest a scoffer.
10If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!10If you grow weary when times are troubled, your strength is limited.
11Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.11Rescue those who are being led away to death, and save those who stumble toward slaughter.
12If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?12If you say, "Look here, we didn't know about this," doesn't God, who examines motives, discern it? Doesn't the one who guards your soul know about it? Won't he repay each person according to what he has done?
13Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.13My son, eat honey, because it's good for you; indeed, drippings from the honeycomb are sweet to your taste;
14Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.14Keep in mind that wisdom is like that for your soul; if you find it, there will be a future for you, and what you hope for won't be cut short.
15Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place;15Don't lie in wait like an outlaw to attack where the righteous live;
16for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.16for though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again, but the wicked stumble into calamity.
17Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,17Don't rejoice when your enemy falls; don't let yourself be glad when he stumbles.
18or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.18Otherwise the LORD will observe and disapprove, and he will turn his anger away from him.
19Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked,19Don't be anxious about those who practice evil, and don't be envious of the wicked.
20for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.20For the wicked man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.
21Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,21My son, fear both the LORD and the king, and don't keep company with rebels.
22for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?22They will be destroyed suddenly, and who knows what kind of punishment will come from these two?
23These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good:23Here are some more proverbs from wise people: It isn't good to show partiality in judgment.
24Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent," will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.24Whoever says to the wicked, "You're in the right," will be cursed by people and hated by nations.
25But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.25But as for people who rebuke the wicked; a good blessing will fall upon them.
26An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.26A kiss on the lips— that's what someone who gives an honest answer deserves.
27Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.27First do your outside work, preparing your land for yourself. After that, build your house.
28Do not testify against your neighbor without cause-- would you use your lips to mislead?28Don't testify against your neighbor without a cause, and don't lie when you speak.
29Do not say, "I'll do to them as they have done to me; I'll pay them back for what they did."29Don't say, "I'll do to him like he did to me, I'll be sure to pay him back for what he did."
30I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;30I went by the field belonging to a lazy man, by a vineyard belonging to a senseless person.
31thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.31There it was, overgrown with thistles, the ground covered with thorns, its stone wall collapsed.
32I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:32As I observed, I thought about it; I watched, and learned a lesson:
33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--33"A little sleep! A little slumber! A little folding of my hands to rest!"
34and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.34Then your poverty will come upon you like a robber, your need like an armed bandit.
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Proverbs 23
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