Proverbs 24
24
Wisdom’s Warning
1Don’t envy the wealth of the wicked or crave their company.
2For they’re obsessed with causing trouble
and their conversations are corrupt.
3Wise people are builders # 24:3 Or “A house is built by wisdom.” The house is more than a structure with roof and a floor. It becomes a metaphor for families, churches, businesses, and enterprises. —
they build families, businesses, communities.
And through intelligence and insight
their enterprises are established and endure.
4Because of their skilled leadership,
the hearts # 24:4 Or “inner chambers.” of people are filled with the treasures of wisdom
and the pleasures of spiritual wealth.
5Wisdom can make anyone into a mighty warrior, # 24:5 Or “Wisdom makes anyone into a hero.” The Aramaic and the Septuagint read “It’s better to be wise than to be strong.”
and revelation-knowledge increases strength.
6Wise strategy is necessary to wage war,
and with many astute advisers
you’ll see the path to victory more clearly.
7Wisdom is a treasure too lofty for a quarreling fool # 24:7 The Hebrew is actually “Wisdom is coral to a fool.” That is, it is unattainable, deep, and hidden. —
he’ll have nothing to say when leaders gather together.
8There is one who makes plans to do evil—
Master Schemer is his name.
9If you plan to do evil, it’s as wrong as doing it.
And everyone detests a troublemaker.
10If you faint when under pressure,
you have need of courage. # 24:10 Or “your strength is limited.” Our weakness often becomes an excuse to quit, but strength and courage come as the result of faithfulness under pressure. Some interpret this to mean “If you fail to help others in their time of need, you will grow too weak to help yourself.”
11Go and rescue the perishing! Be their savior!
Why would you stand back and watch them stagger to their death?
12And why would you say, “But it’s none of my business”?
The one who knows you completely and judges your every motive
is also the keeper of souls—and not just yours!
He sees through your excuses and holds you responsible
for failing to help those whose lives are threatened.
13Revelation-knowledge is a delicacy,
sweet like flowing honey that melts in your mouth.
Eat as much of it as you can, my friend!
14For then you will perceive what is true wisdom,
your future will be bright, # 24:14 The Septuagint is “your death will be good.”
and this hope living within you will never disappoint you.
15Listen up, you wicked, irreverent ones—
don’t harass the lovers of God # 24:15 Or “the righteous.”
and don’t invade their resting place.
16For the lovers of God may suffer adversity
and stumble seven times,
but they will continue to rise over and over again.
But the unrighteous are brought down by just one calamity
and will never be able to rise again. # 24:16 Implied in the text, as it completes the parallelism.
17Never gloat when your enemy meets disaster,
and don’t be quick to rejoice if he falls.
18For the Lord, who sees your heart,
will be displeased with you and will pity your foe.
19Don’t be angrily offended over evildoers or be agitated by them. # 24:19 The Septuagint is “Don’t rejoice with those who do evil or be jealous of them.”
20For the wicked have no life and no future—
their light of life will die out. # 24:20 Not only will they die out, but the implication is they will also have no posterity.
21My child, stand in awe of Yahweh!
Give counsel to others,
but don’t mingle with those who are rebellious.
22For sudden destruction will fall upon them
and their lives will be ruined in a moment.
And who knows what retribution they will face! # 24:22 Verses 21 and 22 are translated from the Aramaic.
Revelation from the Wise
23Those enlightened with wisdom have spoken these proverbs:
Judgment must be impartial,
for it is always wrong to be swayed by a person’s status.
24If you say to the guilty, “You are innocent,”
the nation will curse you and the people will revile you.
25But when you convict the guilty,
the people will thank you and reward you with favor.
26Speaking honestly is a sign of true friendship. # 24:26 The Hebrew is literally “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” In the culture of the day, kissing was a sign of authentic friendship and a mark of relationship, which was often expressed in public among friends.
27Go ahead, build your career and give yourself to your work.
But if you put me first, you’ll see your family built up! # 24:27 As translated from the Septuagint.
28Why would you be a false accuser and slander with your words?
29Don’t ever spitefully say, “I’ll get even with him!
I’ll do to him what he did to me!”
30-31One day I passed by the field of a lazy man,
and I noticed the vineyards of a slacker.
I observed nothing but thorns, weeds, and broken-down walls.
32So I considered their lack of wisdom,
and I pondered the lessons I could learn from this:
33-34Professional work habits prevent poverty from becoming
your permanent business partner. And:
If you put off until tomorrow the work you could do today,
tomorrow never seems to come.
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationProverbs 24
24
The Nineteenth Saying
1Don't be envious of evil people, and don't try to make friends with them. 2Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt.
The Twentieth Saying
3Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding.#24.3 Homes… understanding; or It takes care to lay the foundations of a house, and skill to build it. 4Where there is knowledge, the rooms are furnished with valuable, beautiful things.
The 21st Saying
5Being wise is better than being strong;#24.5 Some ancient translations Being wise is better than being strong; Hebrew A person is wise in strength. yes, knowledge is more important than strength. 6After all, you must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win.
The 22nd Saying
7Wise sayings are too deep for stupid people to understand. They have nothing to say when important matters are being discussed.
The 23rd Saying
8If you are always planning evil, you will earn a reputation as a troublemaker. 9Any scheme a fool thinks up is sinful. People hate a person who has nothing but scorn for others.
The 24th Saying
10If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.
The 25th Saying
11Don't hesitate to rescue someone who is about to be executed unjustly. 12You may say that it is none of your business, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you; he knows. And he will reward you according to what you do.
The 26th Saying
13Son, eat honey; it is good. And just as honey from the comb is sweet on your tongue, 14you may be sure that wisdom is good for the soul. Get wisdom and you have a bright future.
The 27th Saying
15Don't be like the wicked who scheme to rob honest people or to take away their homes. 16No matter how often honest people fall, they always get up again; but disaster destroys the wicked.
The 28th Saying
17Don't be glad when your enemies meet disaster, and don't rejoice when they stumble. 18The LORD will know if you are gloating, and he will not like it; and then he might not punish them.
The 29th Saying
19Don't let evil people worry you; don't be envious of them. 20A wicked person has no future — nothing to look forward to.
The Thirtieth Saying
21Have reverence for the LORD, my child, and honour the king. Have nothing to do with people who rebel against them; 22such people could be ruined in a moment. Do you realize the disaster that God or the king can cause?
More Wise Sayings
23The wise have also said these things:
It is wrong for judges to be prejudiced. 24If they pronounce a guilty person innocent, they will be cursed and hated by everyone. 25Judges who punish the guilty, however, will be prosperous and enjoy a good reputation.
26An honest answer is a sign of true friendship.
27Don't build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living.
28Don't give evidence against someone else without good reason, or say misleading things about him. 29Don't say, “I'll do to him just what he did to me! I'll get even with him!”
30I walked through the fields and vineyards of a lazy, stupid person. 31They were full of thorn bushes and overgrown with weeds. The stone wall round them had fallen down. 32I looked at this, thought about it, and learned a lesson from it: 33#Prov 6.10–11have a nap and sleep if you want to. Fold your hands and rest awhile, 34but while you are asleep, poverty will attack you like an armed robber.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.