Proverbs 24:1-34 CEB

[1] Don’t envy evil people, and don’t long to be with them. [2] Their hearts are focused on violence, and their lips speak of trouble. [3] By wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established. [4] By knowledge rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant wealth. [5] A wise person is mightier than a strong one; a knowledgeable person than a powerful one. [6] You should make war with guidance; victory comes with many counselors. [7] Wisdom is beyond foolish people. They don’t open their mouths in the gate. [8] Those who plot evil will be called master schemers. [9] The scheming of fools is sin; people detest mockers. [10] If you show yourself weak on a day of distress, your strength is too small. [11] Rescue those being taken off to death; and from those staggering to the slaughter, don’t hold back. [12] If you say, “Look, we didn’t know about it,” the one who weighs hearts—doesn’t he understand? The one who protects your life—he knows. He makes people pay for their actions. [13] My child, eat honey, for it is good. The honeycomb is sweet in your mouth. [14] Know that wisdom is like that for your whole being. If you find it, there is a future. Your hope won’t be cut off. [15] Wicked one, don’t wait secretly at the home of the righteous. Don’t destroy their dwelling. [16] The righteous may fall seven times but still get up, but the wicked will stumble into trouble. [17] When your enemies fall, don’t rejoice. When they stumble, don’t let your heart be glad, [18] or the LORD will see it and be displeased, and he will turn his anger from them. [19] Don’t get fighting mad at evil people; don’t be envious of the wicked. [20] Indeed, there is no future for the evil; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. [21] Fear the LORD, my child, as well as the king. Don’t associate with those who are rebellious. [22] Disaster comes suddenly from them. Who can know the ruin that both can bring? [23] These are also the sayings of the wise: Partiality in judgment isn’t good. [24] Those who say to the guilty, “You are innocent”—the people will curse them. Nations will condemn them. [25] But it will go well for those who rebuke them. A rich blessing will come to them. [26] Those who speak honestly are like those who kiss on the lips. [27] Get your outside work done; make preparations in the field; then you can build your house. [28] Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without reason; don’t deceive with your lips. [29] Don’t say, “I’ll do to them what they did to me. I’ll pay them back for their actions.” [30] I happened upon the field of a lazy person, by the vineyard of one with no sense. [31] Thorns grew all over it; weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was falling down. [32] I observed this and took it to heart; I saw it and learned a lesson. [33] “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little lying down with folded arms”— [34] and poverty will come on you like a prowler, deprivation like a man with a shield.