241 Do not be envious of evil men , Nor desire to be with them; 2 For their minds devise violence , And their lips talk of trouble .

3 By wisdom a house is built , And by understanding it is established ; 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches . 5 A wise man is strong , And a man of knowledge increases power . 6 For by wise guidance you will wage war , And in abundance of counselors there is victory .

7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool , He does not open his mouth in the gate . 8 One who plans to do evil , Men will call a schemer e . 9 The devising of folly is sin , And the scoffer is an abomination to men .

10 If you are slack in the day of distress , Your strength is limited .

11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death , And those who are staggering to slaughter , Oh hold them back . 12 If you say , "See , we did not know this ," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts ? And does He not know it who keeps your soul ? And will He not render to man according to his work ?

13 My son , eat honey , for it is good , Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste ; 14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul ; If you find it, then there will be a future , And your hope will not be cut off .

15 Do not lie in wait , O wicked man , against the dwelling of the righteous ; Do not destroy his resting place ; 16 For a righteous man falls seven times , and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity .

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls , And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles ; 18 Or the Lord will see it and be displeased e , And turn His anger away from him.

19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked ; 20 For there will be no future for the evil man ; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son , fear the Lord and the king ; Do not associate with those who are given to change , 22 For their calamity will rise suddenly , And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?

23 These also are sayings of the wise . To show partiality e in judgment is not good . 24 He who says to the wicked , "You are righteous ," Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him; 25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight , And a good blessing will come upon them. 26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer .

27 Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field ; Afterwards , then, build your house .

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause , And do not deceive with your lips . 29 Do not say , "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work ."

30 I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense , 31 And behold , it was completely overgrown with thistles ; Its surface was covered with nettles , And its stone wall was broken down . 32 When I saw , I reflected e upon it; I looked , and received instruction . 33 " A little sleep , a little slumber , A little folding of the hands to rest ," 34 Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man .