Chapter Twenty-Four

Do not envy the wicked or crave their company, for their minds plot violence and their lips speak of mischief.

A house is built by wisdom and its foundation is understanding.  Through knowledge its rooms are furnished with treasures rare and beautiful.

A wise man is endowed with strength and increases his strength through knowledge.

War is waged with sound guidance, and victory is achieved through many advisers.

Wisdom is over the head of a fool; at meetings in the city square he has nothing to say.

Those who plot evil will acquire a reputation as a troublemaker.

Plans of folly are sinful; a scoffer is detested by all.

If you falter in a time of adversity, then your strength is in short supply.

Rescue those that are being led to death and hold back those who stagger to the slaughter.

You declare, “We knew nothing about this.”  But does not he who understand all hearts know, for he watches over all of us?  Does he not discern our thoughts and reward each man according to his actions?

Eat honey, my son: it’s good — and the honeycomb, which is sweet to the taste.  Realize, too, that wisdom is honey for your soul.  If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hopes will not be thwarted.

Do not lay in wait, wicked man, outside the home of the righteous.  Do not molest his resting place.

The righteous man may fall seven times, but he gets up again.  But when the wicked stumble, it is to their destruction.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls; don’t let your heart be glad when he stumbles, or Jehovah will see it and, being displeased with you, turn his wrath away from him.

Fret not on account of of evildoers nor be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

Respect Jehovah and the king and do not associate with those who advocate revolution, for sudden destruction will come to them.  Who knows what kind of destruction may come from both of them.

Here are some further aphorisms of the wise:

It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.  Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent” will be cursed by the people and detested by nations.  But it will go well with those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be bestowed upon them.

An honest reply is like a kiss on the lips.

Plan your outside work and make ready your fields, then, build your house.

Do not testify against your neighbor without good reason.  Do not deceive with your speech.

Don’t say, “As he has done to me, so I will do to him.  I will treat each man according to his actions.”

I passed by the field of a lazy man and the vineyard of someone who is without sense.   They were overgrown with thistles, the ground covered in weeds, and the stone walls in ruins.  I considered what I saw and as I looked, I learned a lesson.  A little sleep, a little nap, a little folding of the hands in rest and poverty will come upon you like a thief and want will assault you like a robber.