Proverbs 24:1-12 ▼

1 Don’t envy the evil or desire to be with them,

2 for their hearts plan violence, and their words stir up trouble.

3 A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding;

4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

5 A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength;

6 for you should wage war with sound guidance — victory comes with many counselors.

7 Wisdom is inaccessible to a fool; he does not open his mouth at the city gate.

8 The one who plots evil will be called a schemer.

9 A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to people.

10 If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited.

11 Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter.

12 If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,” won’t he who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t he who protects your life know? Won’t he repay a person according to his work?