Proverbs 24

¹Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;

²for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.

³By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established;

⁴through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

⁵A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.

⁶Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

⁷Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place.

⁸He who plots evil will be called a schemer.

⁹A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men.

¹⁰If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!

¹¹Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.

¹²If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

¹³Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

¹⁴Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.

¹⁵Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.