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Proverbs 24

Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,

for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,

for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.

Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.

The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;

for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,

lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,

for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,

for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.

Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,

but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.

Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.

Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,

and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Scripture quotations marked “ESV” are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Proverbs 24

Chapter 24 concludes the "Words of the Wise" section with counsel on various practical matters including the building of houses through wisdom, the necessity of courage for justice, and warnings against various forms of wrong-doing and foolishness. The chapter opens with the assertion that it is better to have wisdom than mere strength, and that through counsel and wise guidance, one makes war (suggesting that wisdom navigates conflict more effectively than force). The famous passage on justice—"Do not say, 'I will do to him as he has done to me'; I will render to the man what he deserves'"—emphasizes that vengeance is not the wise path and that judgment belongs ultimately to God, a principle foundational to the entire moral vision. Memorable images include the righteous seven times rising though they fall, while the wicked stumble in time of calamity; the fenced garden and closed garden (possibly referring to chastity or discretion); and the opening assertion that "one who builds a house through unjust gain is like one gathering stones for a funeral pyre," suggesting that ill-gotten gains bring ruin. The chapter also celebrates the wise as stronger than the strong, emphasizes that knowledge is sweeter than honey, and warns against laying snares for the innocent while assuring that the LORD will not leave the righteous in the hands of the wicked. As the conclusion of the "Words of the Wise," chapter 24 brings together themes of justice, courage, and wisdom, preparing for the shift to the more aphoristic style of the Hezekiah collection.

Proverbs 24:16

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity—an affirmation of the righteous person's resilience despite repeated failures, contrasted with the wicked's inability to recover. The number 'seven' suggests comprehensive falling; the righteous endure. The theological significance involves the principle that the righteous person's foundation in God enables recovery while the wicked's foundation in self-interest provides no resilience.

Proverbs 24:17

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice—an exhortation to refrain from schadenfreude, establishing that taking pleasure in another's misfortune is unseemly and wrong. The verb 'gloat' (samach) describes malicious joy. The theological significance involves the principle that the fear of the LORD includes compassion even for enemies.

Proverbs 24:18

Or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him—a warning that gloating over an enemy's fall invokes God's displeasure, establishing that God protects even the falling wicked from the malicious. The consequence suggests that God's anger may turn away from the falling one toward the one who gloats. The theological significance involves the principle that God sides with the humble and turns from the proud.

Proverbs 24:19

Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked—an exhortation to resist anxiety and envy regarding the wicked's apparent success, establishing that such emotional disturbance is spiritually corrosive. The verbs 'fret' and 'envy' describe emotional dysregulation. The theological significance involves the principle of equanimity rooted in faith that God's justice will prevail.

Proverbs 24:20

For the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out—an assurance that wickedness leads to extinction while righteousness leads to continuation, establishing that moral order guarantees the wicked's eventual elimination. The metaphor of lamp being snuffed out describes complete darkness and death. The theological significance involves the principle that God's justice ensures wickedness does not permanently prosper.

Proverbs 24:21

Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with those who seek change—an exhortation to respect both divine and civil authority, establishing that rebellion against either is dangerous. The verb 'join with' (im-rodeifim) describes conspiracy with revolutionaries. The theological significance involves the principle that order and stability depend on respect for authority.

Proverbs 24:22

For those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?—a warning that rebellion against God and king invokes overwhelming punishment from both authorities. The phrase 'sudden destruction' emphasizes the swiftness of judgment. The theological significance involves the principle that alignment with established order is prudential.

Proverbs 24:23

These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good—an affirmation that justice requires impartiality, establishing that showing favor in judgment is fundamentally corrupting. The phrase 'to show partiality' (haker panim) describes the elevation of some faces/people. The theological significance involves the principle that justice is God's prerogative and cannot be bartered.

Proverbs 24:24

Whoever says to the guilty, 'You are innocent,' will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations—a warning that those who acquit the guilty face social condemnation and divine curse. The verse establishes both social and divine consequences for judicial corruption. The theological significance involves the principle that true judgment aligns with God's justice.

Proverbs 24:25

But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them—a promise that those who correctly judge the guilty receive blessing, establishing alignment with justice as producing good. The phrase 'rich blessing' (bracha tov) suggests comprehensive good. The theological significance involves the principle that those who serve justice participate in God's blessing.

Proverbs 24:26

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips—a commendation of truthful speech as beautiful and intimate, establishing that honesty produces warmth and connection. The metaphor of a kiss describes the pleasant intimacy of truthfulness. The theological significance involves the principle that truth is relational, building trust and connection.

Proverbs 24:27

Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house—an exhortation to proper sequencing of priorities, establishing that provision must precede establishment of household. The sequence (work, fields, house) suggests that one must secure livelihood before expanding commitments. The theological significance involves the principle of prudent ordering of life.

Proverbs 24:28

Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive—an exhortation to refrain from bearing false witness, establishing that unnecessary accusation is a serious sin. The phrase 'without cause' (chinnam) emphasizes that the witness has no legitimate basis. The theological significance involves the principle that speech in courts requires truthfulness.

Proverbs 24:29

Do not say, 'I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did.'—a warning against the vow of retaliation, establishing that such vows perpetuate cycles of harm. The verse echoes 20:22. The theological significance involves the principle that retaliation is God's prerogative.

Proverbs 24:30

I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense—a narrative describing the observation of an abandoned field, establishing the connection between laziness and visible desolation. The progression moves from observation to interpretation. The theological significance involves the principle that the visible world reveals character.

Proverbs 24:31

Thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins—a detailed description of the sluggard's field, establishing that abandonment produces degradation. The progression from thorns to weeds to collapsed wall suggests total ruin. The theological significance involves the principle that neglect produces destruction.

Proverbs 24:32

I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw—a reflection that observing the sluggard's ruin teaches wisdom, establishing that we learn from observing consequences in others' lives. The verb 'applied my heart' (shat libi) describes taking the lesson seriously. The theological significance involves the principle that wisdom learns from others' experiences.

Proverbs 24:33

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man—a final warning that small indulgences in laziness accumulate to poverty, establishing that there is no harmless amount of sloth. The repetition (little...little...little) emphasizes the deceptive gradualism. The theological significance involves the principle that small compromises with vice compound catastrophically.

Proverbs 24:34

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man—the repetition of laziness from 6:10 emphasizes how incremental choices toward inaction accumulate into catastrophic loss, with theft and armed assault as metaphors for poverty's sudden, violent arrival.

Proverbs 24:1

Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company—an exhortation to avoid both the desire to emulate wickedness and the desire for fellowship with the wicked, establishing that such desires corrupt. The verb 'envy' (kanah) describes covetous desire; the temptation is to want their apparent freedom or power. The theological significance involves the principle that wickedness is fundamentally unattractive to the wise.

Proverbs 24:2

For their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble—a description of the wicked's fundamental orientation toward harm, establishing that they are committed to destructive purposes. The verbs 'plot' and 'talk about' describe both internal intention and external expression. The theological significance involves the principle that wickedness is not accidental but deliberate.

Proverbs 24:3

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established—an affirmation that household stability comes from wise planning and management, establishing that prosperity is not haphazard. The verbs 'built' and 'established' describe both construction and permanence. The theological significance involves the principle that wisdom produces tangible results.

Proverbs 24:4

By knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures—a continuation of 24:3, suggesting that the wise household is enriched not merely materially but with all manner of good. The phrase 'rooms filled with rare and beautiful treasures' describes abundance resulting from wise acquisition. The theological significance involves the principle that wisdom leads to flourishing.

Proverbs 24:5

The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength—an affirmation that wisdom gives power and that knowledge enables strength, establishing that these are not opposed but linked. The phrase 'great power' (koach) describes force; wisdom-users are not weak. The theological significance involves the principle that wisdom is active, not passive.

Proverbs 24:6

For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers—an exhortation to seek counsel before committing to conflict, establishing that victory depends on wisdom, not merely might. The word 'guidance' (tachbula) describes strategic planning. The theological significance involves the principle that wisdom and counsel are preconditions for success.

Proverbs 24:7

Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; in the assembly of the gate he has nothing to say—a statement about the fool's alienation from wisdom, establishing that the fool cannot access wisdom because his nature is opposed to it. The phrase 'lofty for a fool' suggests wisdom is beyond his reach. The theological significance involves the principle that rejection of wisdom becomes self-perpetuating.

Proverbs 24:8

He who plots evil will be known as a schemer—a statement that those who devise wickedness earn a reputation for scheming, establishing that evil-doing has social consequence. The verb 'plots' (chashav) describes deliberate planning. The theological significance involves the principle that reputation flows from character.

Proverbs 24:9

The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker—a condemnation of the fool's deliberate wickedness and the social rejection he incurs. The pairing 'folly is sin, mocker is detested' establishes both moral and social dimensions. The theological significance involves the principle that both God and community oppose foolishness.

Proverbs 24:10

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!—a rebuke of weakness in crisis, establishing that those who give up when difficulty comes reveal the poverty of their strength. The conditional 'if you falter' suggests a test revealing true character. The theological significance involves the principle that character is revealed under pressure.

Proverbs 24:11

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter—an exhortation to intervene on behalf of those facing harm or injustice, establishing an active duty to defend the vulnerable. The verbs 'rescue' and 'hold back' describe determined intervention. The theological significance involves the principle that silence in the face of injustice is complicity.

Proverbs 24:12

If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what he has done?'—a rhetorical challenge to those who claim ignorance as excuse for inaction, establishing that God judges our culpability for failing to act. The series of rhetorical questions emphasizes that no excuse escapes God's knowledge. The theological significance involves the principle that God judges both action and inaction, both commission and omission.

Proverbs 24:13

Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste—a father's commendation of wisdom's sweetness, establishing that wisdom is experientially satisfying. The metaphor of honey describes the taste of wisdom. The theological significance involves the principle that wisdom is not grim duty but genuine good.

Proverbs 24:14

Know also that wisdom is like honey for your soul: if you find it, there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off—a promise that those who possess wisdom have guaranteed future, that wisdom ensures meaning and direction. The conditional 'if you find it' suggests that finding wisdom requires seeking. The theological significance involves the principle that wisdom provides comprehensive security and hope.

Proverbs 24:15

Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder his dwelling—an exhortation to refrain from preying on the righteous person, establishing that the righteous are deserving of protection from exploitation. The image of lurking like a thief emphasizes predatory intention. The theological significance involves the principle of respect for those living righteously.