Proverbs 24:1-34 CEV

[1] Don't be jealous of crooks or want to be their friends. [2] All they think about and talk about is violence and cruelty. [3] Use wisdom and understanding to establish your home; [4] let good sense fill the rooms with priceless treasures. [5] Wisdom brings strength, and knowledge gives power. [6] Battles are won by listening to advice and making a lot of plans. [7] Wisdom is too much for fools! Their advice is no good. [8] No one but troublemakers think up trouble. [9] Everyone hates senseless fools who think up ways to sin. [10] Don't give up and be helpless in times of trouble. [11] Don't fail to rescue those who are doomed to die. [12] Don't say, "I didn't know it!" God can read your mind. He watches each of us and knows our thoughts. And God will pay us back for what we do. [13] Honey is good for you, my children, and it tastes sweet. [14] Wisdom is like honey for your life- if you find it, your future is bright. [15] Don't be a cruel person who attacks good people and hurts their families. [16] Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that's the end of them. [17] Don't be happy to see your enemies trip and fall down. [18] The LORD will find out and be unhappy. Then he will stop being angry with them. [19] Don't let evil people worry you or make you jealous. [20] They will soon be gone like the flame of a lamp that burns out. [21] My children, you must respect the LORD and the king, and you must not make friends with anyone who rebels against either of them. [22] Who knows what sudden disaster the LORD or a ruler might bring? [23] Here are some more sayings that make good sense: When you judge, you must be fair. [24] If you let the guilty go free, people of all nations will hate and curse you. [25] But if you punish the guilty, things will go well for you, and you will prosper. [26] Giving an honest answer is a sign of true friendship. [27] Get your fields ready and plant your crops before starting a home. [28] Don't accuse anyone who isn't guilty. Don't ever tell a lie [29] or say to someone, "I'll get even with you!" [30] I once walked by the field and the vineyard of a lazy fool. [31] Thorns and weeds were everywhere, and the stone wall had fallen down. [32] When I saw this, it taught me a lesson: [33] Sleep a little. Doze a little. Fold your hands and twiddle your thumbs. [34] Suddenly poverty hits you and everything is gone!