Proverbs 24
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 24
1 [a]Do not envy the wicked,
nor desire to be with them;(A)
2 For their hearts plot violence,
and their lips speak of foul play.
3 By wisdom a house is built,
by understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge its rooms are filled
with every precious and pleasing possession.
5 The wise are more powerful than the strong,
and the learned, than the mighty,(B)
6 For by strategy war is waged,
and victory depends on many counselors.(C)
7 [b]Wise words are beyond fools’ reach,(D)
in the assembly they do not open their mouth;
8 As they calculate how to do evil,
people brand them troublemakers.
9 The scheme of a fool gains no acceptance,
the scoffer is an abomination to the community.
10 [c]Did you fail in a day of adversity,
did your strength fall short?
11 Did you fail to rescue those who were being dragged off to death,[d]
those tottering, those near death,
12 because you said, “We didn’t know about it”?
Surely, the Searcher of hearts knows
and will repay all according to their deeds.(E)
13 [e]If you eat honey, my son, because it is good,
if pure honey is sweet to your taste,
14 Such, you must know, is wisdom to your soul.
If you find it, you will have a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.(F)
15 [f]Do not lie in wait at the abode of the just,
do not ravage their dwelling places;
16 Though the just fall seven times, they rise again,
but the wicked stumble from only one mishap.
17 [g]Do not rejoice when your enemies fall,
and when they stumble, do not let your heart exult,
18 Lest the Lord see it, be displeased with you,
and withdraw his wrath from your enemies.
19 Do not be provoked at evildoers,
do not envy the wicked;
20 For the evil have no future,
the lamp of the wicked will be put out.(G)
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king;
have nothing to do with those who hate them;
22 For disaster will issue suddenly,
and calamity from them both, who knows when?
V. Further Sayings of the Wise[h]
23 These also are Words of the Wise:
To show partiality in judgment is not good.(H)
24 Whoever says to the guilty party, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by nations, scorned by peoples;
25 But those who render just verdicts will fare well,
and on them will come the blessing of prosperity.
26 An honest reply—
a kiss on the lips.[i]
27 Complete your outdoor tasks,
and arrange your work in the field;
afterward you can build your house.[j]
28 Do not testify falsely against your neighbor(I)
and so deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “As they did to me, so will I do to them;(J)
I will repay them according to their deeds.”[k]
30 [l]I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of one with no sense;
31 It was all overgrown with thistles;
its surface was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall broken down.
32 As I gazed at it, I reflected;
I saw and learned a lesson:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,(K)
a little folding of the arms to rest—
34 Then poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like a brigand.
Footnotes
- 24:1–22 A new section (24:1–14)—on the fates of the wicked and foolish—begins with a warning not to take the foolish as role models. The same admonition is repeated in 23:17–18 and 24:19–20. In 24:1, the verb means “to be jealous, zealous; to emulate.” The motive stated in the other passages—the wicked have no future—is indirectly stated here.
- 24:7–9 The verses are unclear; most scholars take them as two or even three single sayings, but, taken singly, the verses are banal. They are best taken as a single statement. Just as vv. 3–6 described the advantages of wisdom, so vv. 7–9 describe the disadvantages of its opposite, folly: it alienates one from the community (v. 7), for fools become notorious (v. 8), dooming their plans and ostracizing themselves.
- 24:10–12 Excuses for not coming to the aid of one’s neighbor in serious trouble do not suffice before God, who sees through self-serving excuses.
- 24:11 Rescue…death: perhaps refers to the legal rescue of those unjustly condemned to death.
- 24:13–14 God’s word is sometimes said to be sweeter than honey, e.g., Ps 119:101–103. Cf. also Ps 19:11; Prv 16:24; Ez 3:3; Sir 24:19–22.
- 24:15–16 The just will overcome every misfortune that oppresses them. Seven times is an indefinite number.
- 24:17–18 The admonition is linked to the previous by the words “fall” and “stumble.” Premature public celebration of the downfall of enemies equivalently preempts the retribution that belongs to God.
- 24:23–34
A little collection between the thirty sayings of 22:17–24:22 and the Hezekiah collection in chaps. 25–29. Its title (v. 23) suggests that editors took it as an appendix. At this point, the Greek edition of Proverbs begins to arrange the later sections of the book in a different order than the Hebrew edition.
An editor has arranged originally separate sayings into two parallel groups.
I. II. Conduct in court: Judges (vv. 24–25) Witnesses (v. 28) Speaking, thinking: Good speech (v. 26) Bad speech (v. 29) Wisdom in work: Positive (v. 27) Negative (vv. 30–34) - 24:26 The kiss is a gesture of respect and affection. The greatest sign of affection and respect for another is to tell that person the truth.
- 24:27 House: can refer to both the building and the family (cf. 2 Sm 7). In the context established by the placement noted above under 24:23, the saying means that neglect of one’s field is a sign that one is not building the house properly. In an agricultural society especially, the concept of household includes fields for animals and crops. On the metaphorical level, one must lay a careful preparation before embarking on a great project. This verse is sometimes interpreted as advocating careful and practical preparation for marriage.
- 24:29 Retribution is a long and complex process that belongs to the Lord, not to individuals. Cf. vv. 12d, 17–18.
- 24:30–34 Neglect of one’s fields through laziness ruins all plans to build a house (v. 27). This vignette is a teaching story, like those in 7:1–27; Ps 37:35–36.
Proverbs 24
King James Version
24 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6 For 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.
8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9 The 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;
12 If 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:
14 So 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:
16 For 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:
18 Lest 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:
20 For 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:
22 For 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.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 But 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.
29 Say 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;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Then 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:
34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
箴言 24
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
得智慧必得善報和盼望
24 你不要嫉妒惡人，
也不要祈望與他們共處。
2 因為他們的心圖謀強暴，
他們的嘴唇講論奸惡。
3 房屋的建造是憑著智慧，
又藉著聰明得到堅立；
4 並且藉著知識，各房間充滿
各樣寶貴和美好的財物。
5 智慧人大有能力，
有知識的人力上加力。
6 你要憑著智謀去作戰；
謀士眾多，就可得勝。
7 智慧對愚妄人來說是太高超，
因此他在城門口啞口無言。
8 計劃作惡的，
必稱為陰謀家。
9 愚妄人的計謀，盡是罪惡；
好譏笑人的是人所厭惡的。
10 你在患難的日子若是懈怠，
你的力量就微小。
11 被拉到死地的人，你要拯救；
將要被殺戮的人，你要挽救。
12 如果你說：“這事我不知道。”
那衡量人心的不明白嗎？
那看顧你性命的不曉得嗎？
他不按照各人的行為報應各人嗎？
13 我兒，你要吃蜜，因為這是好的；
吃蜂房下滴的蜜，就覺甘甜。
14 要知道智慧對你的心也是這樣，
如果你得著智慧，就必有好結局，
你的盼望也不會斷絕。
15 惡人哪！不要埋伏攻擊義人的住處，
不要毀壞他的居所。
16 因為義人雖然七次跌倒，仍能再起來；
但惡人必在禍患中絆倒。
17 你的仇敵跌倒的時候，你不要歡喜；
他絆倒的時候，你心裡不可歡樂。
18 恐怕耶和華看見了，就不喜悅，
把他的怒氣從仇敵的身上，轉到你的身上。
19 不要因作惡的人心懷不平，
也不要嫉妒惡人。
20 因為惡人必沒有好結局，
惡人的燈必要熄滅。
21 我兒，你要敬畏耶和華，也要尊敬君王；
不要與叛逆的人結交。
22 因為他們的刑罰必忽然臨到；
耶和華與君王要施行的毀滅，誰能曉得呢？
當正直勤奮
23 以下也是智慧人的話：
審判的時候看人的情面是不對的。
24 對壞人說“你是好人”的，
萬民都要咒罵他，萬族都必憎惡他。
25 指責壞人的，必得歡悅；
美福必臨到他們。
26 應對誠實的，
如同與別人親嘴。
27 你要在外面預備好你的工作，
在田間為自己準備妥當，
然後建造你的房屋。
28 不可無故作證指控你的鄰舍；
不可誣告他人。
29 你不可說：“人怎樣待我，我也怎樣待他；
我要照他所行的報復他。”
30 我經過懶惰人的田地，
無知人的葡萄園；
31 只見到處長滿蒺藜，
地面蓋滿刺草，
石牆也倒塌了。
32 我看了，就用心思想；
我見了，就領受了教訓。
33 再睡片時，打盹片時，
抱著手躺臥片時，
34 你的貧窮就必像強盜來到，
你的缺乏就必像拿兵器的人來到。
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
