Proverbs (Sentences), 24

[1] Seek not to be like evil men, neither desire to be with them: •

[2] Because their mind studieth robberies, and their lips speak deceits.

[3] By wisdom the house shall be built, and by prudence it shall be strengthened. •

[4] By instruction the storerooms shall be filled with all precious and most beautiful wealth.

[5] A wise man is strong: and a knowing man, stout and valiant. •

[6] Because war is managed by due ordering: and there shall be safety where there are many counsels. •

[7] Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he shall not open his mouth. •

[8] He that deviseth to do evils, shall be called a fool. •

[9] The thought of a fool is sin: and the detractor is the abomination of men. •

[10] If thou lose hope, being weary in the day of distress, thy strength shall be diminished. •

[11] Deliver them that are led to death: and those that are drawn to death, forbear not to deliver. •

[12] If thou say: I have not strength enough: he that seeth into the heart, he understandeth, and nothing deceiveth the keeper of thy soul, and he shall render to a man according to his works. •

[13] Eat honey, my son, because it is good, and the honeycomb most sweet to thy throat. •

[14] So also is the doctrine of wisdom to thy soul: which when thou hast found, thou shalt have hope in the end, and thy hope shall not perish. •

[15] Lie not in wait, nor seek after wickedness in the house of the just, nor spoil his rest.

[16] For a just man shall fall seven times, and shall rise again: but the wicked shall fall down into evil. •

[17] When thy enemy shall fall, be not glad, and in his ruin let not thy heart rejoice:

[18] Lest the Lord see, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. •

[19] Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the ungodly. •

[20] For evil men have no hope of things to come, and the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. •

[21] My son, fear the Lord, and the king: and have nothing to do with detractors. •

[22] For their destruction shall rise suddenly: and who knoweth the ruin of both?

[23] These things also to the wise: It is not good to have respect to persons in judgment. •

[24] They that say to the wicked man: Thou art just: shall be cursed by the people, and the tribes shall abhor them.

[25] They that rebuke him shall be praised: and a blessing shall come upon them.

[26] He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words. •

[27] Prepare thy work without, and diligently till thy ground: that afterward thou mayst build thy house. •

[28] Be not witness without cause against thy neighbour: and deceive not any man with thy lips. •

[29] Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I will render to every one according to his work. •

[30] I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish man: •

[31] And behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was broken down.

[32] Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and by the example I received instruction. •

[33] Thou wilt sleep a little, said I, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to rest. •

[34] And poverty shall come to thee as a runner, and beggary as an armed man.