Proverbs 24
24
–19–
1Don't be jealous of crooks
or want to be their friends.
2All they think about
and talk about
is violence and cruelty.
–20–
3Use wisdom and understanding
to establish your home;
4let good sense fill the rooms
with priceless treasures.
–21–
5Wisdom brings strength,
and knowledge gives power.
6Battles are won
by listening to advice
and making a lot of plans.
–22–
7Wisdom is too much for fools!
Their advice is no good.
–23–
8No one but troublemakers
think up trouble.
9Everyone hates senseless fools
who think up ways to sin.
–24–
10Don't give up and be helpless
in times of trouble.
–25–
11Don't fail to rescue those
who are doomed to die.
12Don't say, “I didn't know it!”
God can read your mind.
He watches each of us
and knows our thoughts.
And God will pay us back
for what we do.
–26–
13Honey is good for you,
my children,
and it tastes sweet.
14Wisdom is like honey
for your life—
if you find it,
your future is bright.
–27–
15Don't be a cruel person
who attacks good people
and hurts their families.
16Even if good people
fall seven times,
they will get back up.
But when trouble strikes
the wicked,
that's the end of them.
–28–
17Don't be happy
to see your enemies trip
and fall down.
18The Lord will find out
and be unhappy.
Then he will stop
being angry with them.
–29–
19Don't let evil people
worry you
or make you jealous.
20They will soon be gone
like the flame of a lamp
that burns out.
–30–
21My children, you must respect
the Lord and the king,
and you must not make friends
with anyone who rebels
against either of them.
22Who knows what sudden disaster
the Lord or a ruler
might bring?
More Sayings That Make Good Sense
23Here are some more sayings
that make good sense:
When you judge,
you must be fair.
24If you let the guilty
go free,
people of all nations
will hate and curse you.
25But if you punish the guilty,
things will go well for you,
and you will prosper.
26Giving an honest answer
is a sign
of true friendship.
27Get your fields ready
and plant your crops
before starting a home.
28Don't accuse anyone
who isn't guilty.
Don't ever tell a lie
29or say to someone,
“I'll get even with you!”
30I once walked by the field
and the vineyard
of a lazy fool.
31Thorns and weeds
were everywhere,
and the stone wall
had fallen down.
32When I saw this,
it taught me a lesson:
33 #
Pr 6.10,11. Sleep a little. Doze a little.
Fold your hands
and twiddle your thumbs.
34Suddenly poverty hits you
and everything is gone!
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 24: CEV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.