Day 24     Proverbs 24

Voice talent by Don Bratschie

24:1 Don't be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:

 

24:2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.

 

24:3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;

 

24:4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

 

24:5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;

 

24:6 for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.

 

24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate.

 

24:8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.

 

24:9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

 

24:10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.

 

24:11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

 

24:12 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?

 

24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:

 

24:14 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.

 

24:15 Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting place:

 

24:16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

 

24:17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;

 

24:18 lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

 

24:19 Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:

 

24:20 for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.

 

24:21 My son, fear the Lord and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious:

 

24:22 for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both--who knows?

 

24:23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.

 

24:24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him--

 

24:25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

 

24:26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

 

24:27 Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

 

24:28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips.

 

24:29 Don't say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

 

24:30 I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

 

24:31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

 

24:32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

 

24:33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;

24:34 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.