| Chapter 24 |
1 |
Seek not to be like evil men, neither desire to be with them: --
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2 |
Because their mind studieth robberies, and their lips speak deceits. --
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3 |
By wisdom the house shall be built, and by prudence it shall be strengthened. --
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4 |
By instruction the storerooms shall be filled with all precious and most beautiful wealth. --
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5 |
A wise man is strong: and a knowing man, stout and valiant. --
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6 |
Because war is managed by due ordering: and there shall be safety where there are many counsels. --
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7 |
Wisdom is too high for a fool, in the gate he shall not open his mouth. --
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8 |
He that deviseth to do evils, shall be called a fool. --
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9 |
The thought of a fool is sin: and the detracter is the abomination of men. --
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10 |
If thou lose hope being weary in the day of distress, thy strength shall be diminished. --
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11 |
Deliver them that are led to death: and those that are drawn to death forbear not to deliver. --
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12 |
If thou say: I have not strength enough: he that seeth into the heart, he understandeth, and nothing deceiveth the keeper of thy soul, end he shall render to a man according to his works. --
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13 |
Fat honey, my son, because it is good, and the honeycomb most sweet to thy throat: --
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14 |
So also is the doctrine of wisdom to thy soul: which when thou hast found, thou shalt have hope in the end, and thy hope shall not perish. --
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15 |
Lie not in wait, nor seek after wickedness in the house of the just, nor spoil his rest. --
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16 |
For a just mall shall fall seven times and shall rise again: but the wicked shall fall down into evil. --
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17 |
When thy enemy shall fall, be not glad, and in his ruin let not thy heart rejoice: --
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18 |
Lest the Lord see, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. --
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19 |
Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the ungodly: --
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20 |
For evil men have no hope of things to come, and the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. --
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21 |
My son, fear the Lord and the king: and have nothing to do with detracters. --
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22 |
For their destruction shall rise suddenly: and who knoweth the ruin of both? --
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23 |
These things also to the wise: It is not good to have respect to persons in judgment. --
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24 |
They that say to the wicked man: Thou art just: shall be cursed by the people, and the tribes shall abhor them. --
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25 |
They that rebuke him, shall be praised: and a blessing shall come upon them. --
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26 |
He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words. --
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27 |
Prepare thy work without, and diligently till thy ground: that afterward thou mayst build thy house. --
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28 |
Be not witness without cause against thy neighbour: and deceive not any man with thy lips. --
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29 |
Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I will render to every one according to his work. --
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30 |
I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish man: --
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31 |
And behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was broken down. --
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32 |
Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and by the example I received instruction. --
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33 |
Thou wilt sleep a little, said I, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to rest: --
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34 |
And poverty shall come to thee as a runner, and beggary as an armed man. --
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