241 Don’t be envious of evil men;
neither desire to be with them: 2 for their hearts plot violence,
and their lips talk about mischief.

3 Through wisdom a house is built;
by understanding it is established; 4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all rare and beautiful treasure. 5 A wise man has great power;
and a knowledgeable man increases strength; 6 for by wise guidance you wage your war;
and victory is in many advisors.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool:
he doesn’t open his mouth in the gate. 8 One who plots to do evil
will be called a schemer. 9 The schemes of folly are sin.
The mocker is detested by men.

10 If you falter in the time of trouble,
your strength is small.

11 Rescue those who are being led away to death!
Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! 12 If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this;”
doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it?
Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good;
the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste: 14 so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul;
if you have found it, then there will be a reward,
your hope will not be cut off.

15 Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous.
Don’t destroy his resting place: 16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again;
but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17 Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls.
Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; 18 lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him,
and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers;
neither be envious of the wicked: 20 for there will be no reward to the evil man;
and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.

21 My son, fear Yahweh and the king.
Don’t join those who are rebellious: 22 for their calamity will rise suddenly;
the destruction from them both—who knows?

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous;”
peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him— 25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and a rich blessing will come on them. 26 An honest answer
is like a kiss on the lips.

27 Prepare your work outside,
and get your fields ready.
Afterwards, build your house.

28 Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause.
Don’t deceive with your lips. 29 Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work.”

30 I went by the field of the sluggard,
by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns.
Its surface was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down. 32 Then I saw, and considered well.
I saw, and received instruction: 33 a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to sleep; 34 so your poverty will come as a robber,
and your want as an armed man.

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, don’t forget my teaching;
but let your heart keep my commandments: 2 for length of days, and years of life,
and peace, will they add to you. 3 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you.
Bind them around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor,
and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart,
and don’t lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your body,
and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor Yahweh with your substance,
with the first fruits of all your increase: 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline,
neither be weary of his reproof: 12 for whom Yahweh loves, he reproves;
even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gets understanding. 14 For her good profit is better than getting silver,
and her return is better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies.
None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand.
In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness.
All her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
Happy is everyone who retains her. 19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth.
By understanding, he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up,
and the skies drop down the dew.

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes.
Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 so they will be life to your soul,
and grace for your neck. 23 Then you shall walk in your way securely.
Your foot won’t stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear,
neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: 26 for Yahweh will be your confidence,
and will keep your foot from being taken.

27 Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again;
tomorrow I will give it to you,”
when you have it by you. 29 Don’t devise evil against your neighbor,
seeing he dwells securely by you. 30 Don’t strive with a man without cause,
if he has done you no harm. 31 Don’t envy the man of violence.
Choose none of his ways. 32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh,
but his friendship is with the upright. 33 Yahweh’s curse is in the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the habitation of the righteous. 34 Surely he mocks the mockers,
but he gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise will inherit glory,
but shame will be the promotion of fools.