The Proverbs

Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;

For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble.

By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;

And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power.

For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Wisdom is too high for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate.

He who plans to do evil, Men will call him a schemer.

The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited.

Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, O hold [them] back.

My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;

Know [that] wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find [it,] then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place;

For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in [time of] calamity.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

Lest the Lord see [it] and be displeased, And He turn away His anger from him.

Do not fret because of evildoers, Or be envious of the wicked;

For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change;

For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin [that comes] from both of them?

These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.

He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;

But to those who rebuke the [wicked] will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.

He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer.

Prepare your work outside, And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.

Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips.

Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

I passed by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense;

And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles, Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down.

When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, [and] received instruction.

"A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,"

Then your poverty will come [as] a robber, And your want like an armed man.