Proverbs 24:12-27

English Standard Version

¹³ My son, ^(E)eat honey, for it is good,
    and ^(F)the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
¹⁴ Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
    if you find it, there will be ^(G)a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

^15 (H)Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
    do no violence to his home;
^16 (I)for the righteous falls ^(J)seven times and rises again,
    but ^(K)the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

^17 (L)Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
    and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
¹⁸ lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
    and turn away his anger from him.

^19 (M)Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
    and be not ^(N)envious of the wicked,
²⁰ for the evil man has no ^(O)future;
    ^(P)the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

²¹ My son, ^(Q)fear the Lord and the king,
    and do not join with those who do otherwise,
²² for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
    and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

^(S)Partiality in judging is not good.
²⁴ Whoever ^(T)says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
    ^(U)will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
²⁵ but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.
²⁶ Whoever gives an honest answer
    kisses the lips.

^27 (V)Prepare your work outside;
    get everything ready for yourself in the field,
    and after that build your house.