1
Be not thou envious[H7065] against evil[H7451]men[H582], neither desire[H183] to be with them.
2
For their heart[H3820]studieth[H1897]destruction[H7701], and their lips[H8193]talk[H1696] of mischief[H5999].
3
Through wisdom[H2451] is an house[H1004]builded[H1129]; and by understanding[H8394] it is established[H3559]:
4
And by knowledge[H1847] shall the chambers[H2315] be filled[H4390] with all precious[H3368] and pleasant[H5273]riches[H1952].
5
A wise[H2450]man[H1397] is strong[H5797]; yea, a man[H376] of knowledge[H1847]increaseth[H553]strength[H3581].
6
For by wise counsel[H8458] thou shalt make[H6213] thy war[H4421]: and in multitude[H7230] of counsellors[H3289] there is safety[H8668].
7Wisdom[H2454] is too high[H7311] for a fool[H191]: he openeth[H6605] not his mouth[H6310] in the gate[H8179].
8
He that deviseth[H2803] to do evil[H7489] shall be called[H7121] a mischievous[H4209]person[H1167].
9
The thought[H2154] of foolishness[H200] is sin[H2403]: and the scorner[H3887] is an abomination[H8441] to men[H120].
10
If thou faint[H7503] in the day[H3117] of adversity[H6869], thy strength[H3581] is small[H6862].
11
If thou forbear[H2820] to deliver[H5337] them that are drawn[H3947] unto death[H4194], and those that are ready[H4131] to be slain[H2027];
12
If thou sayest[H559], Behold, we knew[H3045] it not; doth not he that pondereth[H8505] the heart[H3826]consider[H995] it? and he that keepeth[H5341] thy soul[H5315], doth not he know[H3045] it? and shall not he render[H7725] to every man[H120] according to his works?[H6467]
13
My son[H1121], eat[H398] thou honey[H1706], because it is good[H2896]; and the honeycomb[H5317], which is sweet[H4966] to thy taste[H2441]:
14
So shall the knowledge[H3045] of wisdom[H2451]be[H3426] unto thy soul[H5315]: when thou hast found[H4672] it, then there shall be[H3426] a reward[H319], and thy expectation[H8615] shall not be[H3426] cut off[H3772].
15
Lay not wait[H693], O wicked[H7563] man, against the dwelling[H5116] of the righteous[H6662]; spoil[H7703] not his resting place[H7258]:
16
For a just[H6662] man falleth[H5307] seven times[H7651], and riseth up again[H6965]: but the wicked[H7563] shall fall[H3782] into mischief[H7451].
17Rejoice[H8055] not when thine enemy[H341]falleth[H5307], and let not thine heart[H3820] be glad[H1523] when he stumbleth[H3782]:
18
Lest the LORD[H3068]see[H7200] it, and it displease[H7489] him, and he turn away[H7725] his wrath[H639] from him.
19Fret[H2734] not thyself because of evil[H7489] men, neither be thou envious[H7065] at the wicked[H7563];
20
For there shall be no reward[H319] to the evil[H7451] man; the candle[H5216] of the wicked[H7563] shall be put out[H1846].
21
My son[H1121], fear[H3372] thou the LORD[H3068] and the king[H4428]: and meddle[H6148] not with them that are given to change[H8138]:
22
For their calamity[H343] shall rise[H6965]suddenly[H6597]; and who knoweth[H3045] the ruin[H6365] of them both?[H8147]
23
These things also belong to the wise[H2450]. It is not good[H2896] to have respect[H5234] of persons[H6440] in judgment[H4941].
24
He that saith[H559] unto the wicked[H7563], Thou art righteous[H6662]; him shall the people[H5971]curse[H5344], nations[H3816] shall abhor[H2194] him:
25
But to them that rebuke[H3198] him shall be delight[H5276], and a good[H2896]blessing[H1293] shall come[H935] upon them.
26
Every man shall kiss[H5401] his lips[H8193] that giveth[H7725] a right[H5228]answer[H1697].
27Prepare[H3559] thy work[H4399]without[H2351], and make it fit[H6257] for thyself in the field[H7704]; and afterwards[H310]build[H1129] thine house[H1004].
28
Be not a witness[H5707] against thy neighbour[H7453] without cause[H2600]; and deceive[H6601] not with thy lips[H8193].
29Say[H559] not, I will do[H6213] so to him as he hath done[H6213] to me: I will render[H7725] to the man[H376] according to his work[H6467].
30
I went[H5674] by the field[H7704] of the slothful[H376], and by the vineyard[H3754] of the man[H120]void[H2638] of understanding[H3820];
31
And, lo, it was all grown over[H5927] with thorns[H7063], and nettles[H2738] had covered[H3680] the face[H6440] thereof, and the stone[H68]wall[H1444] thereof was broken down[H2040].
32
Then I saw[H2372], and considered it well[H7896]: I looked[H7200] upon it, and received[H3947]instruction[H4148].
33
Yet a little[H4592]sleep[H8142], a little[H4592]slumber[H8572], a little[H4592]folding[H2264] of the hands[H3027] to sleep[H7901]:
34
So shall thy poverty[H7389]come[H935] as one that travelleth[H1980]; and thy want[H4270] as an armed[H4043]man[H376].