Proverbs 24:17-34 ▼

17 Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles:

18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Fret not yourself because of evil men, neither be you envious at the wicked:

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?

23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that said to the wicked, You are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come on them.

26 Every man shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer.

27 Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.

28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause; and deceive not with your lips.

29 Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 And, see, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked on it, and received instruction.

33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34 So shall your poverty come as one that travels; and your want as an armed man.