10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.

11 Deliver them that are carried away unto death, And those that are ready to be slain see that thou hold back. 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work?

13 My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste: 14 So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place: 16 For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown; 18 Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked: 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; [And] company not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it?

23 These also are [sayings] of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good. 24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them. 26 He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.

27 Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.

30 I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction: 33 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; 34 So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 24:10-34

Commentary on Proverbs 24:10

(Read Proverbs 24:10)

Under troubles we are apt to despair of relief. But be of good courage, and God shall strengthen thy heart.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:11-12

(Read Proverbs 24:11-12)

If a man know that his neighbour is in danger by any unjust proceeding, he is bound to do all in his power to deliver him. And what is it to suffer immortal souls to perish, when our persuasions and example may be the means of preventing it?

Commentary on Proverbs 24:13-14

(Read Proverbs 24:13-14)

We are quickened to the study of wisdom by considering both the pleasure and the profit of it. All men relish things that are sweet to the palate; but many have no relish for the things that are sweet to the purified soul, and that make us wise unto salvation.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:15-16

(Read Proverbs 24:15-16)

The sincere soul falls as a traveller may do, by stumbling at some stone in his path; but gets up, and goes on his way with more care and speed. This is rather to be understood of falls into affliction, than falls into actual sin.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:17-18

(Read Proverbs 24:17-18)

The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is forbidden.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:19-20

(Read Proverbs 24:19-20)

Envy not the wicked their prosperity; be sure there is no true happiness in it.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:21-22

(Read Proverbs 24:21-22)

The godly in the land, will be quiet in the land. There may be cause to change for the better, but have nothing to do with them that are given change.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:23-26

(Read Proverbs 24:23-26)

The wisdom God giveth, renders a man fit for his station. Every one who finds the benefit of the right answer, will be attached to him that gave it.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:27

(Read Proverbs 24:27)

We must prefer necessaries before conveniences, and not go in debt.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:28-29

(Read Proverbs 24:28-29)

There are three defaults in a witness pointed out.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:30-34

(Read Proverbs 24:30-34)

See what a blessing the husbandman's calling is, and what a wilderness this earth would be without it. See what great difference there is in the management even of worldly affairs. Sloth and self-indulgence are the bane of all good. When we see fields overgrown with thorns and thistles, and the fences broken down, we see an emblem of the far more deplorable state of many souls. Every vile affection grows in men's hearts; yet they compose themselves to sleep. Let us show wisdom by doubling our diligence in every good thing.