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Proverbs 24

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1¶ Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

2For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

3¶ Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

4And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5A wise man [is] strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

7¶ Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9The thought of foolishness [is] sin: and the scorner [is] an abomination to men.

10¶ [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is] small.

11¶ If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain;

12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works?

13¶ My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good; and the honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste:

14So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] unto thy soul: when thou hast found [it], then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

15¶ Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

16For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17¶ Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

18Lest the LORD see [it], and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19¶ Fret not thyself because of evil [men], neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20For there shall be no reward to the evil [man]; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

21¶ My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not with them that are given to change:

22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

23¶ These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

25But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26[Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer.

27¶ Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

28¶ Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips.

29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

30¶ I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it, and] received instruction.

33[Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

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Proverbs 24:1-2 Verses 1, 2

Envy not sinners. And let not a desire ever come into thy mind, Oh that I could shake off restraints!

Proverbs 24:3-6 Verses 3-6

Piety and prudence in outward affairs, both go together to complete a wise man. By knowledge the soul is filled with the graces and comforts of the spirit, those precious and pleasant riches. The spirit is strengthened for the spiritual work and the spiritual warfare, by true wisdom.

Proverbs 24:7-9 Verses 7-9

A weak man thinks wisdom is too high for him, therefore he will take no pains for it. It is bad to do evil, but worse to devise it. Even the first risings of sin in the heart are sin, and must be repented of. Those that strive to make others hateful, make themselves so.

Proverbs 24:10 Verse 10

Under troubles we are apt to despair of relief. But be of good courage, and God shall strengthen thy heart.

Proverbs 24:11-12 Verses 11, 12

If a man know that his neighbour is in danger by any unjust proceeding, he is bound to do all in his power to deliver him. And what is it to suffer immortal souls to perish, when our persuasions and example may be the means of preventing it?

Proverbs 24:13-14 Verses 13, 14

We are quickened to the study of wisdom by considering both the pleasure and the profit of it. All men relish things that are sweet to the palate; but many have no relish for the things that are sweet to the purified soul, and that make us wise unto salvation.

Proverbs 24:15-16 Verses 15, 16

The sincere soul falls as a traveller may do, by stumbling at some stone in his path; but gets up, and goes on his way with more care and speed. This is rather to be understood of falls into affliction, than falls into actual sin.

Proverbs 24:17-18 Verses 17, 18

The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is forbidden.

Proverbs 24:19-20 Verses 19, 20

Envy not the wicked their prosperity; be sure there is no true happiness in it.

Proverbs 24:21-22 Verses 21, 22

The godly in the land, will be quiet in the land. There may be cause to change for the better, but have nothing to do with them that are given change.

Proverbs 24:23-26 Verses 23-26

The wisdom God giveth, renders a man fit for his station. Every one who finds the benefit of the right answer, will be attached to him that gave it.

Proverbs 24:27 Verse 27

We must prefer necessaries before conveniences, and not go in debt.

Proverbs 24:28-29 Verses 28, 29

There are three defaults in a witness pointed out.

Proverbs 24:30-34 Verses 30-34

See what a blessing the husbandman's calling is, and what a wilderness this earth would be without it. See what great difference there is in the management even of worldly affairs. Sloth and self-indulgence are the bane of all good. When we see fields overgrown with thorns and thistles, and the fences broken down, we see an emblem of the far more deplorable state of many souls. Every vile affection grows in men's hearts; yet they compose themselves to sleep. Let us show wisdom by doubling our diligence in every good thing.

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Adversity Proverbs 24:10

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

Advice Proverbs 24:6

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

Backsliding: Not Hopeless Proverbs 24:16

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

Backsliding: Proneness To Proverbs 24:16

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

Being Fit Proverbs 24:5

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

Buying a House Proverbs 24:3, 4

By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; / through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

Candy Proverbs 24:13

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

Character: Instability of Proverbs 24:21, 22

My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious. / For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring?

Citizens: Duties of Proverbs 24:21

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

Clean House Proverbs 24:3

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

Company: Evil Proverbs 24:1

Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;

Death of the Wicked Proverbs 24:20

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

Deceit: Forbidden Proverbs 24:28

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

Economics: Household Proverbs 24:27

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

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