1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked:
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour 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 slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, 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 one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
1 Be not thou envious H7065 against evil H7451 men, H582 neither desire H183 to be with them.
2 For their heart H3820 studieth H1897 destruction, H7701 and their lips H8193 talk H1696 of mischief. H5999
3 Through wisdom H2451 is an house H1004 builded; H1129 and by understanding H8394 it is established: H3559
4 And by knowledge H1847 shall the chambers H2315 be filled H4390 with all precious H3368 and pleasant H5273 riches. H1952
5 A wise H2450 man H1397 is strong; H5797 yea, a man H376 of knowledge H1847 increaseth H553 strength. H3581
6 For by wise counsel H8458 thou shalt make H6213 thy war: H4421 and in multitude H7230 of counsellors H3289 there is safety. H8668
7 Wisdom H2454 is too high H7311 for a fool: H191 he openeth H6605 not his mouth H6310 in the gate. H8179
8 He that deviseth H2803 to do evil H7489 shall be called H7121 a mischievous H4209 person. H1167
9 The thought H2154 of foolishness H200 is sin: H2403 and the scorner H3887 is an abomination H8441 to men. H120
10 If thou faint H7503 in the day H3117 of adversity, H6869 thy strength H3581 is small. H6862
11 If thou forbear H2820 to deliver H5337 them that are drawn H3947 unto death, H4194 and those that are ready H4131 to be slain; H2027
12 If thou sayest, H559 Behold, we knew H3045 it not; doth not he that pondereth H8505 the heart H3826 consider H995 it? and he that keepeth H5341 thy soul, H5315 doth not he know H3045 it? and shall not he render H7725 to every man H120 according to his works? H6467
13 My son, H1121 eat H398 thou honey, H1706 because it is good; H2896 and the honeycomb, H5317 which is sweet H4966 to thy taste: H2441
14 So shall the knowledge H3045 of wisdom H2451 be unto thy soul: H5315 when thou hast found H4672 it, then there shall be H3426 a reward, H319 and thy expectation H8615 shall not be cut off. H3772
15 Lay not wait, H693 O wicked H7563 man, against the dwelling H5116 of the righteous; H6662 spoil H7703 not his resting place: H7258
16 For a just H6662 man falleth H5307 seven times, H7651 and riseth up again: H6965 but the wicked H7563 shall fall H3782 into mischief. H7451
17 Rejoice H8055 not when thine enemy H341 falleth, H5307 and let not thine heart H3820 be glad H1523 when he stumbleth: H3782
18 Lest the LORD H3068 see H7200 it, and it displease H7489 H5869 him, and he turn away H7725 his wrath H639 from him.
19 Fret H2734 not thyself because of evil H7489 men, neither be thou envious H7065 at the wicked; H7563
20 For there shall be no reward H319 to the evil H7451 man; the candle H5216 of the wicked H7563 shall be put out. H1846
21 My son, H1121 fear H3372 thou the LORD H3068 and the king: H4428 and meddle H6148 not with them that are given to change: H8138
22 For their calamity H343 shall rise H6965 suddenly; H6597 and who knoweth H3045 the ruin H6365 of them both? H8147
23 These things also belong to the wise. H2450 It is not good H2896 to have respect H5234 of persons H6440 in judgment. H4941
24 He that saith H559 unto the wicked, H7563 Thou art righteous; H6662 him shall the people H5971 curse, H5344 nations H3816 shall abhor H2194 him:
25 But to them that rebuke H3198 him shall be delight, H5276 and a good H2896 blessing H1293 shall come H935 upon them.
26 Every man shall kiss H5401 his lips H8193 that giveth H7725 a right H5228 answer. H1697
27 Prepare H3559 thy work H4399 without, H2351 and make it fit H6257 for thyself in the field; H7704 and afterwards H310 build H1129 thine house. H1004
28 Be not a witness H5707 against thy neighbour H7453 without cause; H2600 and deceive H6601 not with thy lips. H8193
29 Say H559 not, I will do H6213 so to him as he hath done H6213 to me: I will render H7725 to the man H376 according to his work. H6467
30 I went H5674 by the field H7704 of the slothful, H376 H6102 and by the vineyard H3754 of the man H120 void H2638 of understanding; H3820
31 And, lo, it was all grown over H5927 with thorns, H7063 and nettles H2738 had covered H3680 the face H6440 thereof, and the stone H68 wall H1444 thereof was broken down. H2040
32 Then I saw, H2372 and considered it well: H7896 H3820 I looked H7200 upon it, and received H3947 instruction. H4148
33 Yet a little H4592 sleep, H8142 a little H4592 slumber, H8572 a little H4592 folding H2264 of the hands H3027 to sleep: H7901
34 So shall thy poverty H7389 come H935 as one that travelleth; H1980 and thy want H4270 as an armed H4043 man. H376
1 Be not thou envious against evil men; Neither desire to be with them:
2 For their heart studieth oppression, And their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might,
6 For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8 He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
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.
1 Be not envious of evil men, And desire not to be with them.
2 For destruction doth their heart meditate, And perverseness do their lips speak.
3 By wisdom is a house builded, And by understanding it establisheth itself.
4 And by knowledge the inner parts are filled, `With' all precious and pleasant wealth.
5 Mighty `is' the wise in strength, And a man of knowledge is strengthening power,
6 For by plans thou makest for thyself war, And deliverance `is' in a multitude of counsellors.
7 Wisdom `is' high for a fool, In the gate he openeth not his mouth.
8 Whoso is devising to do evil, Him they call a master of wicked thoughts.
9 The thought of folly `is' sin, And an abomination to man `is' a scorner.
10 Thou hast shewed thyself weak in a day of adversity, Straitened is thy power,
11 If `from' delivering those taken to death, And those slipping to the slaughter -- thou keepest back.
12 When thou sayest, `Lo, we knew not this.' Is not the Ponderer of hearts He who understandeth? And the Keeper of thy soul He who knoweth? And He hath rendered to man according to his work.
13 Eat my son, honey that `is' good, And the honeycomb -- sweet to thy palate.
14 So `is' the knowledge of wisdom to thy soul, If thou hast found that there is a posterity And thy hope is not cut off.
15 Lay not wait, O wicked one, At the habitation of the righteous. Do not spoil his resting-place.
16 For seven `times' doth the righteous fall and rise, And the wicked stumble in evil.
17 In the falling of thine enemy rejoice not, And in his stumbling let not thy heart be joyful,
18 Lest Jehovah see, and `it be' evil in His eyes, And He hath turned from off him His anger.
19 Fret not thyself at evil doers, Be not envious at the wicked,
20 For there is not a posterity to the evil, The lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
21 Fear Jehovah, my son, and the king, With changers mix not up thyself,
22 For suddenly doth their calamity rise, And the ruin of them both -- who knoweth!
23 These also are for the wise: -- To discern faces in judgment is not good.
24 Whoso is saying to the wicked, `Thou `art' righteous,' Peoples execrate him -- nations abhor him.
25 And to those reproving it is pleasant, And on them cometh a good blessing.
26 Lips he kisseth who is returning straightforward words.
27 Prepare in an out-place thy work, And make it ready in the field -- go afterwards, Then thou hast built thy house.
28 Be not a witness for nought against thy neighbour, Or thou hast enticed with thy lips.
29 Say not, `As he did to me, so I do to him, I render to each according to his work.'
30 Near the field of a slothful man I passed by, And near the vineyard of a man lacking heart.
31 And lo, it hath gone up -- all of it -- thorns! Covered its face have nettles, And its stone wall hath been broken down.
32 And I see -- I -- I do set my heart, I have seen -- I have received instruction,
33 A little sleep -- a little slumber -- A little folding of the hands to lie down.
34 And thy poverty hath come `as' a traveller, And thy want as an armed man!
1 Be not thou envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;
2 for their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom is a house built, and by understanding it is established;
4 and by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant substance.
5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6 For with good advice shalt thou make thy war; and in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he will not open his mouth in the gate.
8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a master of intrigues.
9 The purpose of folly is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 [If] thou losest courage in the day of trouble, thy strength is small.
11 Deliver them that are taken forth unto death, and withdraw not from them that stagger to slaughter.
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not, will not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that preserveth thy soul, he knoweth it; and he rendereth to man according to his work.
13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; and a honeycomb is sweet to thy taste:
14 so consider wisdom for thy soul; if thou hast found it, there shall be a result, and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
15 Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; lay not waste his resting-place.
16 For the righteous falleth seven times, and riseth up again; but the wicked stumble into disaster.
17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth;
18 lest Jehovah see it, and it be evil in his sight, and he turn away his anger from him.
19 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, [and] be not envious of the wicked:
20 for there shall be no future to the evil [man]; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear Jehovah and the king: meddle not with them that are given to change.
22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23 These things also come from the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
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 cometh upon them.
26 He kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer.
27 Prepare thy work without, and put thy field in order, and afterwards build thy house.
28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and wouldest thou deceive 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 a sluggard, and by the vineyard of a man void of understanding;
31 and lo, it was all grown over with thistles, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I looked, I took it to heart; I saw, I received instruction:
33 -- A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest!
34 So shall thy poverty come [as] a roving plunderer, and thy penury as an armed man.
1 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 shall your poverty come as a robber, And your want as an armed man.
1 Have no envy for evil men, or any desire to be with them:
2 For the purposes of their hearts are destruction, and their lips are talking of trouble.
3 The building of a house is by wisdom, and by reason it is made strong:
4 And by knowledge its rooms are full of all dear and pleasing things.
5 A wise man is strong; and a man of knowledge makes strength greater.
6 For by wise guiding you will overcome in war: and in a number of wise guides there is salvation.
7 Wisdom is outside the power of the foolish: he keeps his mouth shut in the public place.
8 He whose purposes are bad will be named a man of evil designs.
9 The purpose of the foolish is sin: and the hater of authority is disgusting to others.
10 If you give way in the day of trouble, your strength is small.
11 Be the saviour of those who are given up to death, and do not keep back help from those who are slipping to destruction.
12 If you say, See, we had no knowledge of this: does not the tester of hearts give thought to it? and he who keeps your soul, has he no knowledge of it? and will he not give to every man the reward of his work?
13 My son, take honey, for it is good; and the flowing honey, which is sweet to your taste:
14 So let your desire be for wisdom: if you have it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
15 Do not keep a secret watch, O evil-doer, against the fields of the upright man, or send destruction on his resting-place:
16 For an upright man, after falling seven times, will get up again: but trouble is the downfall of the evil.
17 Do not be glad at the fall of your hater, and let not your heart have joy at his downfall:
18 For fear that the Lord may see it, and it may be evil in his eyes, and his wrath may be turned away from him.
19 Do not be troubled because of evil-doers, or have envy of sinners:
20 For there will be no future for the evil man; the light of sinners will be put out.
21 My son, go in fear of the Lord and the king: have nothing to do with those who are in high positions:
22 For their downfall will come suddenly; and who has knowledge of the destruction of those in high positions?
23 These are more sayings of the wise: To have respect for a person's position when judging is not good.
24 He who says to the evil-doer, You are upright, will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations.
25 But those who say sharp words to him will have delight, and a blessing of good will come on them.
26 He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer.
27 Put your work in order outside, and make it ready in the field; and after that, see to the building of your house.
28 Do not be a violent witness against your neighbour, or let your lips say what is false.
29 Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will give the man the reward of his work.
30 I went by the field of the hater of work, and by the vine-garden of the man without sense;
31 And it was all full of thorns, and covered with waste plants, and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then looking at it, I gave thought: I saw, and I got teaching from it.
33 A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep:
34 So loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 24
Commentary on Proverbs 24 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 24
Pr 24:1-34.
1, 2. (Compare Pr 23:3, 17; Ps 37:1).
2. studieth—meditateth.
talk … mischief—Their expressed purposes are to do evil.
3, 4. (Compare Pr 14:1; Isa 54:14).
house—including the family.
4. by knowledge … riches—(Pr 8:18; 21:20).
5, 6. The general statement (Ec 9:16, 18) is specially illustrated (compare Pr 21:22; Ps 144:1).
7. (Compare Pr 14:16).
in the gate—(Compare Pr 22:22).
8. So called even if he fails to do evil.
9. Same thought varied.
10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.
11, 12. Neglect of known duty is sin (Jas 4:17).
ready—literally, "bowing down"
to be slain—that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.
13, 14. As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.
14. reward—literally, "after part," the proper result (compare Pr 23:18; Ps 37:37, 38).
15, 16. The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Ps 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.
16. seven times—often, or many (Pr 6:16, 31; 9:1).
17, 18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Pr 17:5; Job 31:29).
19, 20. (Ps 37:1, 38; 18:28).
20. candle—or, "prosperity"; it shall come to an end (Pr 13:9; 20:20).
21, 22. A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Ro 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:17).
meddle … change—(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons.
22. their calamity, &c.—either what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their company suffer; better the first.
23. These … wise—literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, Pr 24:24-34.
to have respect—literally, "to discern faces," show partiality,
24, 25. of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.
26. kiss his lips—love and obey, do homage (Ps 2:12; So 8:1).
right answer—literally, "plain words" (compare Pr 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.
27. Prepare … in the field—Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.
28. Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.
29. Especially avoid retaliation (Mt 5:43-45; Ro 12:17).
30, 31. A striking picture of the effects of sloth.
32-34. From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Pr 6:10, 11).