Proverbs 24:1-12 ▼

1 Do not envy evil people or wish you were with them,

2 because their minds plot violence, and their lips talk trouble.

3 With wisdom a house is built. With understanding it is established.

4 With knowledge its rooms are filled with every kind of riches, both precious and pleasant.

5 A strong man knows how to use his strength, but a person with knowledge is even more powerful.

6 After all, with the right strategy you can wage war, and with many advisers there is victory.

7 Matters of wisdom are beyond the grasp of a stubborn fool. At the city gate he does not open his mouth.

8 Whoever plans to do evil will be known as a schemer.

9 Foolish scheming is sinful, and a mocker is disgusting to everyone.

10 If you faint in a crisis, you are weak.

11 Rescue captives condemned to death, and spare those staggering toward their slaughter.

12 When you say, |We didn't know this,| won't the one who weighs hearts take note of it? Won't the one who guards your soul know it? Won't he pay back people for what they do?