Chapter 24

  Don't you be envious against evil men; Neither desire to be with them:  

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  For their hearts plot violence, And their lips talk about mischief.  

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  Through wisdom a house is built; By understanding it is established;  

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  By knowledge the rooms are filled With all rare and beautiful treasure.  

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  A wise man has great power; And a knowledgeable man increases strength;  

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  For by wise guidance you wage your war; And victory is in many advisors.  

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  Wisdom is too high for a fool: He doesn't open his mouth in the gate.  

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  One who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.  

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  The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.  

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  If you falter in the time of trouble, Your strength is small.  

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  Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!  

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  If you say, 'Behold, we didn't know this;' Doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?  

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  My son, eat honey, for it is good; The droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:  

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  So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; If you have found it, then will there be a reward, Your hope will not be cut off.  

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  Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting-place:  

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  For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.  

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  Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;  

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  Lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.  

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  Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; Neither be envious of the wicked:  

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  For there will be no reward to the evil man; And the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.  

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  My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious:  

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  For their calamity will rise suddenly; The destruction from them both -- who knows?  

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

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  He who says to the wicked, 'You are righteous;' Peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him --  

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  But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, And a rich blessing will come on them.  

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  An honest answer Is like a kiss on the lips.  

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  Prepare your work outside. Make it ready for you in the field. Afterwards, build your house.  

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  Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips.  

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  Don't say, 'I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.'  

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  I went by the field of the sluggard, By the vineyard of the man void of understanding;  

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  Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down.  

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  Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:  

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

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  So shall your poverty come as a robber, And your want as an armed man.  

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