Proverbs 24

King James Version

Full text for Proverbs Chapter 24

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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Proverbs 24 warns against envying evil men, instead promoting wisdom as the foundation for strength, prosperity, and righteous living. It emphasizes the duty to deliver those in peril and to exercise impartial judgment, while cautioning against rejoicing in an enemy's misfortune. The chapter also highlights the severe consequences of slothfulness, urging diligence and preparation.

Medium Summary

This chapter begins by admonishing against envy of evil men, whose hearts plot destruction, and instead extols wisdom as the means by which a house is built and established, bringing strength and precious riches. It highlights that wisdom is beyond the fool and that evil thoughts are sin. The text urges believers not to faint in adversity and to deliver those in peril, reminding that God sees and judges all actions. It further advises against rejoicing in an enemy's fall, lest the Lord be displeased. The chapter also stresses fearing the Lord and the king, avoiding those who seek change, and maintaining impartiality in judgment, concluding with a vivid depiction of the poverty brought by slothfulness.

Long Summary

Proverbs 24 opens with a strong caution against envying evil men or desiring their company, as their intentions are destructive. In contrast, it extols wisdom, understanding, and knowledge as the bedrock for building and establishing a prosperous household, asserting that a wise man possesses strength. The chapter notes that wisdom is inaccessible to a fool, and that even the thought of foolishness or devising evil constitutes sin. It then challenges the reader not to falter in adversity and to actively rescue those facing death, emphasizing that God, who ponders the heart, will render to every man according to his works. The text compares the knowledge of wisdom to sweet honey, promising a sure reward and fulfilled expectation. It warns the wicked against harming the righteous, who, though they may fall seven times, will rise again. A significant admonition is given against rejoicing in an enemy's stumble, lest the Lord be displeased and turn His wrath from the enemy. Further counsel includes not fretting over evil men, as their reward is naught and their light shall be extinguished. The chapter commands fearing the Lord and the king, and avoiding association with those prone to rebellion, whose calamity comes suddenly. It stresses the importance of impartiality in judgment, condemning those who declare the wicked righteous and praising those who rebuke them. Finally, the chapter advises preparing one's work diligently before building a house and warns against false witness and retaliatory actions. A vivid parable of the slothful man's overgrown and ruined field serves as a stark warning against idleness, illustrating how poverty and want will inevitably overtake the indolent.

Core Concepts

  • Wisdom's FoundationWisdom, understanding, and knowledge are presented as essential for building, establishing, and enriching a household, and for gaining strength and safety through wise counsel in life's battles.
  • Avoiding Evil and EnvyThe chapter repeatedly warns against envying evil men or desiring their company, emphasizing that their hearts plot destruction and their end is without reward, while the righteous are encouraged not to fret over them.
  • Divine AccountabilityGod is depicted as one who ponders the heart and keeps the soul, knowing all actions and rendering to every man according to his works, particularly highlighting the duty to deliver those drawn unto death.
  • Justice and ImpartialityThe text stresses the importance of righteous judgment, condemning respect of persons in legal matters and praising those who rebuke the wicked, ensuring delight and blessing for such integrity.
  • Diligence vs. SlothDiligence is encouraged in preparing one's work and building, while slothfulness is vividly illustrated through the ruined field of the indolent, showing how poverty and want inevitably overtake the idle.
  • Resilience of the RighteousA just man is shown to fall seven times and rise again, contrasting with the wicked who fall into mischief, highlighting the enduring nature and ultimate triumph of righteousness despite adversity.
  • Ethical Conduct Towards EnemiesBelievers are admonished not to rejoice when an enemy falls or stumble, as such schadenfreude displeases the Lord and may cause Him to turn away His wrath from the enemy.