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

Other Versions24 Precepts and Warnings

1Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; 2For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble.

3By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

5A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. 6For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.

7Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate.

8One who plans to do evil, Men will call a schemer. 9 The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

10If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited.

11Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back. 12 If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?

13My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; 14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

15Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; 16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.

17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; 18 Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him.

19Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; 20For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, 22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?

23These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him; 25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. 26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer.

27Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.

28Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips. 29 Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

30I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, 31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. 32 When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. 33 "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest," 34 Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man.


25 Similitudes, Instructions

1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; 5 Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; 7 For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

8Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? 9 Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, 10 Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away.

11Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. 12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. 13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14 Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. 15 By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. 16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. 17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become weary of you and hate you. 18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. 19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. 20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart. 21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you. 23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. 24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. 25 Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land. 26 Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. 28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

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