Proverbs 24

¹Do not envy the wicked,[#A new section (24:1–14)—on the fates of the wicked and foolish—begins with a warning not to take the foolish as role models. The same admonition is repeated in 23:17–18 and 24:19–20. In 24:1, the verb means “to be jealous, zealous; to emulate.” The motive stated in the other passages—the wicked have no future—is indirectly stated here.]

nor desire to be with them;

²For their hearts plot violence,

and their lips speak of foul play.

³By wisdom a house is built,

by understanding it is established;

⁴And by knowledge its rooms are filled

with every precious and pleasing possession.

⁵The wise are more powerful than the strong,

and the learned, than the mighty,

⁶For by strategy war is waged,

and victory depends on many counselors.

⁷Wise words are beyond fools’ reach,[#The verses are unclear; most scholars take them as two or even three single sayings, but, taken singly, the verses are banal. They are best taken as a single statement. Just as vv. 3–6 described the advantages of wisdom, so vv. 7–9 describe the disadvantages of its opposite, folly: it alienates one from the community (v. 7), for fools become notorious (v. 8), dooming their plans and ostracizing themselves.; #Sir 6:21.]

in the assembly they do not open their mouth;

⁸As they calculate how to do evil,

people brand them troublemakers.

⁹The scheme of a fool gains no acceptance,

the scoffer is an abomination to the community.

¹⁰Did you fail in a day of adversity,[#Excuses for not coming to the aid of one’s neighbor in serious trouble do not suffice before God, who sees through self-serving excuses.]

did your strength fall short?

¹¹Did you fail to rescue those who were being dragged off to death,[#: perhaps refers to the legal rescue of those unjustly condemned to death.]

those tottering, those near death,

¹²because you said, “We didn’t know about it”?

Surely, the Searcher of hearts knows

and will repay all according to their deeds.

¹³If you eat honey, my son, because it is good,[#God’s word is sometimes said to be sweeter than honey, e.g., Ps 119:101–103. Cf. also Ps 19:11; Prv 16:24; Ez 3:3; Sir 24:19–22.]

if pure honey is sweet to your taste,

¹⁴Such, you must know, is wisdom to your soul.

If you find it, you will have a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

¹⁵Do not lie in wait at the abode of the just,[#The just will overcome every misfortune that oppresses them. Seven times is an indefinite number.]

do not ravage their dwelling places;

¹⁶Though the just fall seven times, they rise again,

but the wicked stumble from only one mishap.

¹⁷Do not rejoice when your enemies fall,[#The admonition is linked to the previous by the words “fall” and “stumble.” Premature public celebration of the downfall of enemies equivalently preempts the retribution that belongs to God.]

and when they stumble, do not let your heart exult,

¹⁸Lest the Lord see it, be displeased with you,

and withdraw his wrath from your enemies.

¹⁹Do not be provoked at evildoers,

do not envy the wicked;

²⁰For the evil have no future,

the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

²¹My son, fear the Lord and the king;

have nothing to do with those who hate them;

²²For disaster will issue suddenly,

and calamity from them both, who knows when?

V. FURTHER SAYINGS OF THE WISE

²³These also are Words of the Wise:

To show partiality in judgment is not good.

²⁴Whoever says to the guilty party, “You are innocent,”

will be cursed by nations, scorned by peoples;

²⁵But those who render just verdicts will fare well,

and on them will come the blessing of prosperity.

²⁶An honest reply—

a kiss on the lips.

²⁷Complete your outdoor tasks,

and arrange your work in the field;

afterward you can build your house.

²⁸Do not testify falsely against your neighbor[#Prv 19:5; 25:18.]

and so deceive with your lips.

²⁹Do not say, “As they did to me, so will I do to them;[#Prv 20:22.]

I will repay them according to their deeds.”

³⁰I passed by the field of a sluggard,[#Neglect of one’s fields through laziness ruins all plans to build a house (v. 27). This vignette is a teaching story, like those in 7:1–27; Ps 37:35–36.]

by the vineyard of one with no sense;

³¹It was all overgrown with thistles;

its surface was covered with nettles,

and its stone wall broken down.

³²As I gazed at it, I reflected;

I saw and learned a lesson:

³³A little sleep, a little slumber,[#Prv 6:10–11.]

a little folding of the arms to rest—

³⁴Then poverty will come upon you like a robber,

and want like a brigand.