Proverbs 24 | King James Version

King James Version

1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. 8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. 9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. 10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it ? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it ? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? 13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it , then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. 15 Lay not wait, O wicked man , against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it , and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19 Fret not thyself because of evil men , neither be thou envious at the wicked; 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man ; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. 21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? 23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. 26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. 27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. 28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. 30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. 33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

New International Reader’s Version

Saying 20

1 Do not want what evil people have. Don’t long to be with them. 2 In their hearts they plan to hurt others. With their lips they talk about making trouble.

Saying 21

3 By wisdom a house is built. Through understanding it is made secure. 4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled with priceless and beautiful things.

Saying 22

5 Wise people have success by means of great power. Those who have knowledge gather strength. 6 If you go to war, you surely need guidance. If you want to win, you need many good advisers. 7 Wisdom is too high for foolish people. They shouldn’t speak when people meet at the city gate to conduct business.

Saying 23 Saying 24

8 Anyone who thinks up sinful things to do will be known as one who plans evil. 9 Foolish plans are sinful. People hate those who make fun of others.

Saying 25

10 If you grow weak when trouble comes, your strength is very small! 11 Save those who are being led away to death. Hold back those who are about to be killed. 12 Don’t say, ‘But we didn’t know anything about this.’ Doesn’t the God who knows what you are thinking see it? Doesn’t the God who guards your life know it? He will pay back everyone for what they have done.

Saying 26

13 Eat honey, my son, because it is good. Honey from a honeycomb has a sweet taste. 14 I want you to know that wisdom is like honey for you. If you find it, there is hope for you tomorrow. So your hope will not be cut off.

Saying 27

15 Don’t hide and wait like a burglar near a godly person’s house. Don’t rob their home. 16 Even if godly people fall down seven times, they always get up. But those who are evil trip and fall when trouble comes.

Saying 28

17 Don’t be happy when your enemy falls. When he trips, don’t let your heart be glad. 18 The LORD will see it, but he won’t be pleased. He might turn his anger away from your enemy.

Saying 29

19 Don’t be upset because of evil people. Don’t long for what sinners have. 20 Tomorrow evil people won’t have any hope. The lamps of sinners will be blown out.

Saying 30

21 My son, have respect for the LORD and the king. Don’t join with officials who disobey them. 22 The LORD and the king will suddenly destroy them. Who knows what trouble those two can bring? 23 Here are more sayings of wise people. Taking sides in court is not good. 24 A curse will fall on those who say the guilty are not guilty. Nations will ask for bad things to happen to them. People will speak against them. 25 But it will go well with those who sentence guilty people. Rich blessings will come to them. 26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. 27 Put your outdoor work in order. Get your fields ready. After that, build your house. 28 Don’t be a witness against your neighbour for no reason. Would you use your lips to tell lies? 29 Don’t say, ‘I’ll do to them what they have done to me. I’ll get even with them for what they did.’ 30 I went past the field of someone who didn’t want to work. I went past the vineyard of someone who didn’t have any sense. 31 Thorns had grown up everywhere. The ground was covered with weeds. The stone wall had fallen down. 32 I applied my heart to what I observed. I learned a lesson from what I saw. 33 You might sleep a little or take a little nap. You might even fold your hands and rest. 34 Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you. You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you.