 1 Do not be jealous of evil men nor desire to be with them. 2 For their heart studies ruin and their lips talk of mischief. 3 Through wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established. 4 By knowledge the rooms will be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is strong. Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength. 6 For only after wise counsel should you make war. In a multitude of wise counsel there is safety. 7 Wisdom is too high for fools. They do not open their mouth in the gate. 8 Those who plot to do evil will be called masters of wicked thoughts. 9 Even the thought of foolishness is sin. Scorners are hateful to others. 10 If you faint in the day of trial, your strength is small. 11 Deliver those who are drawn to death and those who are stumbling+ toward death. 12 If you say, Behold, we did not know, He who searches the heart knows. The Keeper of your soul knows, and He will repay to every one according to their works? 13 My son, eat honey, because it is good. The honeycomb is sweet to your palate. 14 Likewise shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul. When you have found it, then there will be a reward and your hope will not be cut off. 15 Wicked one, do not lie in ambush at the dwelling of the righteous. Do not spoil his resting place. 16 for a just one falls seven times and rises up again. But the wicked fall into evil. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles. 18 Or, the Lord will see and it will displease Him and He will turn His wrath away from him. 19 Do not fret because of evil ones, nor be jealous of the wicked. 20 For there will not be a hereafter for the evil. The lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the Lord and the king. Do not fellowship with those who are given to change. 22 For their trouble will rise suddenly and who knows the ruin of them both? 23 These also are for the wise: To have deferential respect of persons in judgment is not good. 24 Those who say to the wicked, You are righteous, the people will curse them and nations will abhor them. 25 But to those who rebuke, it will be a delight and a good blessing will come upon them. 26 He will kiss the lips that return right words. 27 Prepare your work outside and make it fit for yourself in the field. Then afterward, build your house. 28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, nor deceive with your lips. 29 Do not say, I will do to him as he has done to me, or I will give to him according to his work. 30 I went by the field of the lazy person and by the vineyard of those without understanding. 31 It was all grown over with thorns and nettles had covered the face of it and its stone wall was broken down. 32 Then I saw and set my heart on it. I looked and received instruction. 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down. 34 Then poverty comes stalking and your want like a man armed with a shield.
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