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 .
31 My son , do not forget my teaching , But let your heart keep my commandments ; 2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck , Write them on the tablet of your heart . 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man . 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding . 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight .
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes ; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil . 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones . 9 Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce ; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine . 11 My son , do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof , 12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves , Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights .
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding . 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold . 15 She is more precious than jewels ; And nothing e you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand ; In her left hand are riches and honor . 17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace . 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast . 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth , By understanding He established the heavens . 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew .
21 My son , let them not vanish from your sight ; Keep sound wisdom and discretion , 22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck . 23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble . 24 When you lie down , you will not be afraid ; When you lie down , your sleep will be sweet . 25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes ; 26 For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught .
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due , When it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor , "Go , and come back , And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. 29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor , While he lives securely beside you. 30 Do not contend with a man without cause , If he has done you no harm . 31 Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways . 32 For the devious are an abomination to the Lord ; But He is intimate with the upright . 33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked , But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous . 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers , Yet He gives grace to the afflicted . 35 The wise will inherit honor , But fools display dishonor .
