Historical
Chapter 24
1 [a]Do not envy the wicked,
nor desire to be with them;(A)
2 For their hearts plot violence,
and their lips speak of foul play.
3 By wisdom a house is built,
by understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge its rooms are filled
with every precious and pleasing possession.
5 The wise are more powerful than the strong,
and the learned, than the mighty,(B)
6 For by strategy war is waged,
and victory depends on many counselors.(C)
7 [b]Wise words are beyond fools’ reach,(D)
in the assembly they do not open their mouth;
8 As they calculate how to do evil,
people brand them troublemakers.
9 The scheme of a fool gains no acceptance,
the scoffer is an abomination to the community.
10 [c]Did you fail in a day of adversity,
did your strength fall short?
11 Did you fail to rescue those who were being dragged off to death,[d]
those tottering, those near death,
12 because you said, “We didn’t know about it”?
Surely, the Searcher of hearts knows
and will repay all according to their deeds.(E)
13 [e]If you eat honey, my son, because it is good,
if pure honey is sweet to your taste,
14 Such, you must know, is wisdom to your soul.
If you find it, you will have a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.(F)
15 [f]Do not lie in wait at the abode of the just,
do not ravage their dwelling places;
16 Though the just fall seven times, they rise again,
but the wicked stumble from only one mishap.
17 [g]Do not rejoice when your enemies fall,
and when they stumble, do not let your heart exult,
18 Lest the Lord see it, be displeased with you,
and withdraw his wrath from your enemies.
19 Do not be provoked at evildoers,
do not envy the wicked;
20 For the evil have no future,
the lamp of the wicked will be put out.(G)
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king;
have nothing to do with those who hate them;
22 For disaster will issue suddenly,
and calamity from them both, who knows when?
V. Further Sayings of the Wise[h]
23 These also are Words of the Wise:
To show partiality in judgment is not good.(H)
24 Whoever says to the guilty party, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by nations, scorned by peoples;
25 But those who render just verdicts will fare well,
and on them will come the blessing of prosperity.
26 An honest reply—
a kiss on the lips.[i]
27 Complete your outdoor tasks,
and arrange your work in the field;
afterward you can build your house.[j]
28 Do not testify falsely against your neighbor(I)
and so deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “As they did to me, so will I do to them;(J)
I will repay them according to their deeds.”[k]
30 [l]I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of one with no sense;
31 It was all overgrown with thistles;
its surface was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall broken down.
32 As I gazed at it, I reflected;
I saw and learned a lesson:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,(K)
a little folding of the arms to rest—
34 Then poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like a brigand.
VI. Second Solomonic Collection, Collected Under King Hezekiah[m]
Chapter 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon.(L) The servants of Hezekiah,[n] king of Judah, transmitted them.
2 [o]It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
and the glory of kings to fathom a matter.[p]
3 Like the heavens in height, and the earth in depth,
the heart of kings is unfathomable.
4 [q]Remove the dross from silver,
and it comes forth perfectly purified;
5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne is made firm through justice.
6 [r]Claim no honor in the king’s presence,
nor occupy the place of superiors;
7 For it is better to be told, “Come up closer!”
than to be humbled before the prince.(M)
8 What your eyes have seen
do not bring forth too quickly against an opponent;
For what will you do later on
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 [s]Argue your own case with your neighbor,
but the secrets of others do not disclose;
10 Lest, hearing it, they reproach you,
and your ill repute never ceases.
11 Golden apples in silver settings
are words spoken at the proper time.
12 A golden earring or a necklace of fine gold—
one who gives wise reproof to a listening ear.
13 Like the coolness of snow in the heat of the harvest
are faithful messengers for those who send them,
lifting the spirits of their masters.
14 Clouds and wind but no rain—
the one who boasts of a gift not given.
15 By patience is a ruler persuaded,(N)
and a soft tongue can break a bone.
16 [t]If you find honey, eat only what you need,
lest you have your fill and vomit it up.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbors’ house,
lest they have their fill of you—and hate you.
18 A club, sword, or sharp arrow—
the one who bears false witness against a neighbor.(O)
19 A bad tooth or an unsteady foot—
a trust betrayed in time of trouble.[u]
20 Like the removal of clothes on a cold day, or vinegar on soda,
is the one who sings to a troubled heart.
21 [v]If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat,
if thirsty, give something to drink;(P)
22 For live coals you will heap on their heads,
and the Lord will vindicate you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop
than in a mansion with a quarrelsome wife.[w](Q)
25 Cool water to one faint from thirst
is good news from a far country.
26 A trampled fountain or a polluted spring—[x]
a just person fallen before the wicked.
27 To eat too much honey is not good;
nor to seek honor after honor.[y]
28 A city breached and left defenseless
are those who do not control their temper.
Chapter 26[z]
1 Like snow in summer, like rain in harvest,
honor for a fool is out of place.[aa]
2 Like the sparrow in its flitting, like the swallow in its flight,
a curse uncalled-for never lands.[ab]
3 The whip for the horse, the bridle for the ass,
and the rod for the back of fools.(R)
4 [ac]Do not answer fools according to their folly,
lest you too become like them.
5 Answer fools according to their folly,
lest they become wise in their own eyes.
6 Those who send messages by a fool
cut off their feet; they drink down violence.
7 [ad]A proverb in the mouth of a fool
hangs limp, like crippled legs.
8 Giving honor to a fool
is like entangling a stone in the sling.
9 A thorn stuck in the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 An archer wounding all who pass by
is anyone who hires a drunken fool.
11 As dogs return to their vomit,
so fools repeat their folly.(S)
12 You see those who are wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for fools than for them.
13 [ae]The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the street,
a lion in the middle of the square!”(T)
14 The door turns on its hinges
and sluggards, on their beds.
15 The sluggard buries a hand in the dish,
too weary to lift it to the mouth.(U)
16 In their own eyes sluggards are wiser
than seven who answer with good judgment.
17 Whoever meddles in the quarrel of another
is one who grabs a passing dog by the ears.
18 Like a crazed archer
scattering firebrands and deadly arrows,
19 Such are those who deceive their neighbor,
and then say, “I was only joking.”
20 [af]Without wood the fire dies out;
without a talebearer strife subsides.
21 Charcoal for coals, wood for fire—
such are the quarrelsome, enkindling strife.(V)
22 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels:
they sink into one’s inmost being.[ag](W)
23 Like a glazed finish on earthenware
are smooth lips and a wicked heart.[ah]
24 With their lips enemies pretend,
but inwardly they maintain deceit;
25 When they speak graciously, do not trust them,(X)
for seven abominations[ai] are in their hearts.
26 Hatred can be concealed by pretense,
but malice will be revealed in the assembly.[aj]
27 Whoever digs a pit falls into it;
and a stone comes back upon the one who rolls it.(Y)
28 The lying tongue is its owner’s enemy,
and the flattering mouth works ruin.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.