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Do Not Envy

Saying 20

Verse1Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;

Verse2for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.

Saying 21

Verse3By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established;

Verse4through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

Saying 22

Verse5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.

Verse6Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

Saying 23

Verse7Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place.

Saying 24

Verse8He who plots evil will be called a schemer.

Verse9A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men.

Saying 25

Verse10If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!

Verse11Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.

Verse12If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

Saying 26

Verse13Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

Verse14Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.

Saying 27

Verse15Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.

Verse16For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.

Saying 28

Verse17Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,

Verse18or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

Saying 29

Verse19Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked.

Verse20For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

Saying 30

Verse21My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.

Verse22For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring?

Further Sayings of the Wise

Verse23These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.

Verse24Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”— peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;

Verse25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.

Verse26An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.

Verse27Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.

Verse28Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

Verse29Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

Verse30I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment.

Verse31Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down.

Verse32I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction:

Verse33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

Verse34and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.