Proverbs 24

Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

Don't let jealousy towards wicked people consume you, nor yearn to associate with them.

For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

Their hearts are filled with harmful intentions, and their words breed trouble.

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

With wisdom, a home is constructed; and it's through understanding that it stands firm.

And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Through wisdom, our hearts will overflow with invaluable and delightful treasures.

A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

A smart man is powerful; indeed, a man who seeks knowledge becomes even stronger.

For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

With wise advice, you'll strategize your battles; safety lies in having many advisors.

Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

A fool can't grasp wisdom; it's beyond his reach. He stays silent when it's time to speak up.

He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

Anyone who plans to do harm will be known as a troublemaker.

The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

Thinking foolishly is wrong, and those who mock others are deeply disliked.

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

If you crumble under pressure, your strength isn't as great as you think.

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

If you ignore those on the brink of death, those awaiting execution, you're neglecting your duty to help.

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?

If you claim ignorance, won't the one who knows your heart see the truth? The one who guards your soul, doesn't he know everything? Won't he repay each person for what they have done?

My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

Dear child, savor the honey, for its goodness is undeniable; and relish the honeycomb, as it brings sweetness to your palate.

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.

When you discover wisdom, your soul will be filled with understanding. This will bring you rewards and your hopes will never be shattered.

Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

Don't plot harm, evil one, against the home of the good; don't disturb their peace.

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

A righteous person may stumble many times, but they always find the strength to rise. However, those with evil intentions will inevitably fall into trouble.

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

Don't celebrate when your enemy falls, and don't let your heart be happy when he stumbles.

Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

If God sees it and it upsets Him, He might turn His anger away from your enemy.

Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked:

Don't worry about those who do wrong, and don't envy those who seem wicked.

For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

Evil deeds will find no reward; the light guiding the wicked will be extinguished.

My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

Dear child, respect both God and the ruler: avoid those who are constantly shifting their loyalties.

For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

Their disaster will strike unexpectedly; who can predict the downfall of both?

These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

Even the wise understand this: It's not right to favor someone when making a judgment.

He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

If you tell a bad person they're good, people will curse you and nations will detest you.

But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

Those who correct him will feel joy, and they will be showered with blessings.

Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips; everyone welcomes the person who speaks straight.

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

First, focus on your work and make sure it's done well. Once that's accomplished, then you can build your home.

Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

Don't falsely accuse your neighbor without reason; and never lie.

Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Don't say, "I'll treat him as he treated me. I'll pay him back for what he did."

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

I passed by the neglected land of the lazy man, and the unattended vineyard of the man lacking wisdom.

And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

Behold, it was completely overrun with thistles, the nettles had hidden its beauty, and its once sturdy stone wall had crumbled.

Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

Then I observed, deeply reflecting on it: I studied it closely, gaining wisdom.

Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

Just a bit more rest, a touch more sleep, a moment longer with hands clasped in slumber.

So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Your poverty will sneak up on you like a traveler; your needs will attack like a soldier.