1Do not envy the wicked,

do not desire their company;

2for their hearts plot violence,

and their lips talk about making trouble.

3By wisdom a house is built,

and through understanding it is established;

4through knowledge its rooms are filled

with rare and beautiful treasures.

5The wise prevail through great power,

and those who have knowledge muster their strength.

6Surely you need guidance to wage war,

and victory is won through many advisers.

7Wisdom is too high for fools;

in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.

8Whoever plots evil

will be known as a schemer.

9The schemes of folly are sin,

and people detest a mocker.

10If you falter in a time of trouble,

how small is your strength!

11Rescue those being led away to death;

hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

12If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”

does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who guards your life know it?

Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

13Eat honey, my son, for it is good;

honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

14Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:

If you find it, there is a future hope for you,

and your hope will not be cut off.

15Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous,

do not plunder their dwelling place;

16for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,

but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

17Do not gloat when your enemy falls;

when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,

18or the Lord will see and disapprove

and turn his wrath away from them.

19Do not fret because of evildoers

or be envious of the wicked,

20for the evildoer has no future hope,

and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

21Fear the Lord and the king, my son,

and do not join with rebellious officials,

22for those two will send sudden destruction on them,

and who knows what calamities they can bring?