24 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 are 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.