Proverbs 24:1-22

New International Version

24 Do not envy^(A) the wicked,
    do not desire their company;
² for their hearts plot violence,^(B)
    and their lips talk about making trouble.^(C)

³ By wisdom a house is built,^(D)
    and through understanding it is established;
⁴ through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures.^(E)

⁵ The wise prevail through great power,
    and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
⁶ Surely you need guidance to wage war,
    and victory is won through many advisers.^(F)

⁷ Wisdom is too high for fools;
    in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.

⁸ Whoever plots evil
    will be known as a schemer.
⁹ The schemes of folly are sin,
    and people detest a mocker.

¹⁰ If you falter in a time of trouble,
    how small is your strength!^(G)
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
    hold back those staggering toward slaughter.^(H)
12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
    does not he who weighs^(I) the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
    Will he not repay^(J) everyone according to what they have done?^(K)

¹³ Eat honey, my son, for it is good;
    honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
¹⁴ Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
    If you find it, there is a future hope for you,
    and your hope will not be cut off.^(L)

¹⁵ Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous,
    do not plunder their dwelling place;
¹⁶ for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,
    but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.^(M)

¹⁷ Do not gloat^(N) when your enemy falls;
    when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,^(O)
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
    and turn his wrath away from them.^(P)

¹⁹ Do not fret^(Q) because of evildoers
    or be envious of the wicked,
²⁰ for the evildoer has no future hope,
    and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.^(R)

²¹ Fear the Lord and the king,^(S) my son,
    and do not join with rebellious officials,
²² for those two will send sudden destruction^(T) on them,
    and who knows what calamities they can bring?