Proverbs 24:13-34 ▼

13 My son, eat honey, because it's good for you; indeed, drippings from the honeycomb are sweet to your taste;

14 Keep in mind that wisdom is like that for your soul; if you find it, there will be a future for you, and what you hope for won't be cut short.

15 Don't lie in wait like an outlaw to attack where the righteous live;

16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again, but the wicked stumble into calamity.

17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls; don't let yourself be glad when he stumbles.

18 Otherwise the LORD will observe and disapprove, and he will turn his anger away from him.

19 Don't be anxious about those who practice evil, and don't be envious of the wicked.

20 For the wicked man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

21 My son, fear both the LORD and the king, and don't keep company with rebels.

22 They will be destroyed suddenly, and who knows what kind of punishment will come from these two?

23 Here are some more proverbs from wise people: It isn't good to show partiality in judgment.

24 Whoever says to the wicked, |You're in the right,| will be cursed by people and hated by nations.

25 But as for people who rebuke the wicked; a good blessing will fall upon them.

26 A kiss on the lips— that's what someone who gives an honest answer deserves.

27 First do your outside work, preparing your land for yourself. After that, build your house.

28 Don't testify against your neighbor without a cause, and don't lie when you speak.

29 Don't say, |I'll do to him like he did to me, I'll be sure to pay him back for what he did.|

30 I went by the field belonging to a lazy man, by a vineyard belonging to a senseless person.

31 There it was, overgrown with thistles, the ground covered with thorns, its stone wall collapsed.

32 As I observed, I thought about it; I watched, and learned a lesson:

33 |A little sleep! A little slumber! A little folding of my hands to rest!|

34 Then your poverty will come upon you like a robber, your need like an armed bandit.