The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• The Proverbs. (a. V.)
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• 31

24

1 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 counsellers 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.

10If 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 art 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.

26Every 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.

[* ] Ps. 37 1, &c. & 73. 3. ch. 23. 17. ver. 19.

[* ] Ps. 10. 7.

[† ] Heb. is in strength.

[† ] Heb. strengtheneth might.

[* ] ch. 11. 14. & 15. 22. & 20. 18.

[† ] Heb. narrow.

[* ] Ps. 82. 4

[* ] Job 34. 11. Ps. 62 12. Jer. 32. 19. Rom. 2. 6. Rev. 22. 12.

[† ] Heb uponthy palate.

[* ] Ps. 19. 10. & 119. 103.

[* ] ch. 23. 18.

[* ] Job 5. 19. Ps. 34. 19. & 37. 24.

[* ] Job 31. 29. Ps. 35 15. ch. 17. 5.

[† ] Heb. it be evil in his eyes.

[* ] Ps. 37 1. ch. 23. 17.

[∥ ] Or, Keep not company with the wicked.

[* ] Job 21. 17. ch. 13. 9.

[∥ ] Or, lamp.

[† ] Heb. changers.

[* ] Lev. 19. 15. Deut. 1. 17. & 16 19. ch 18. 5. & 28. 21. John 7. 24.

[* ] ch. 17. 15. Is. 5. 23.

[† ] Heb. a blessing of good.

[† ] Heb. that answereth right words.

[* ] ch. 20. 22.

[† ] Heb. set my heart.

[* ] ch. 6. 9, &c.

[† ] Heb. a man of shield.