24 1 Do not envy evil men, and do not desire to be with them, 2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips speak of trouble.
3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 and by knowledge its rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge increases his power. 6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and victory comes through many counselors.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; at the gate, he has nothing to say. 8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. 9 A fool's scheming is sin, and the scoffer is detestable to people.
10 If you falter in a time of trouble, your strength is small. 11 Rescue those being taken away to death, and hold back those stumbling toward the slaughter. 12 If you say, "Look, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who watches over your soul know it? And will he not repay each person according to his deeds?
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb's drippings are sweet to your taste. 14 Know that wisdom is just like this to your soul; if you find it, there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
15 Do not lie in wait, you wicked man, against the home of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place, 16 for though the righteous falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked stumble in disaster.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles, 18 lest our Father see it and be displeased, and turn his anger away from him.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers, and do not envy the wicked, 20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21 My son, fear our Father and the king, and do not join with those who rebel against them, 22 for their disaster will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that both of them can bring?
Justice Without Partiality
23 These also are sayings of the wise: Showing partiality in judgment is not good. 24 Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent," peoples will curse him and nations will denounce him, 25 but it will go well for those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come upon them. 26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. 27 Prepare your work outside, get your fields ready, and after that build your house. 28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause; would you deceive with your lips? 29 Do not say, "I will do to him as he did to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done." 30 I passed by the field of a lazy man, by the vineyard of someone lacking sense, 31 and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with weeds, and its stone wall was broken down. 32 Then I looked and took it to heart; I saw and received instruction. 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and scarcity like an armed man.