Proverbs Chapter 24 to 25 : English Standard Version   | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

Other Versions24 24:1 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, 2for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

3By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, 6for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. 7Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.

8Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. 9The devising[1] of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

10If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. 11Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. 12If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

13My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 14Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

15Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; 16for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 18lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

19Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, 20for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, 22for disaster from them will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

More Sayings of the Wise

23These also are sayings of the wise.

Partiality in judging is not good. 24Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, 25but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. 26Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.

27Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

28Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. 29Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

30I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, 31and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 32Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. 33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 34and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

[1] Or scheming


25 More Proverbs of Solomon

25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. 3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; 5take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, 7for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen 8do not hastily bring into court, for[2] what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? 9Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, 10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.

11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. 12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. 13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

15With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. 16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. 17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you. 18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. 19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. 20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. 21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. 23The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. 24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. 25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.[3] 28A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

[2] Hebrew or else  [3] The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain

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