Proverbios 24

¹ Don't be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them: ² for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief. ³ Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; ⁴ by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. ⁵ A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength; ⁶ for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors. ⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate. ⁸ One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. ⁹ The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men. ¹⁰ If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. ¹¹ Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! ¹² If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work? ¹³ My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste: ¹⁴ so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off. ¹⁵ Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting place: ¹⁶ for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. ¹⁷ Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; ¹⁸ lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. ¹⁹ Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked: ²⁰ for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out. ²¹ My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious: ²² for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both--who knows? ²³ These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. ²⁴ He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him-- ²⁵ but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them. ²⁶ An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. ²⁷ Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house. ²⁸ Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips. ²⁹ Don't say, "I will do 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 sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; ³¹ Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. ³² Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: ³³ a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; ³⁴ so shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.