Proverbs 24:1-12 ▼

1 Don’t envy evil men or desire to be with them,

2 for their hearts plan violence, and their words stir up trouble.

3 A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding;

4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

5 A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength;

6 for you should wage war with sound guidance — victory comes with many counselors.

7 Wisdom is inaccessible to a fool; he does not open his mouth at the gate.

8 The one who plots evil will be called a schemer .

9 A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to people.

10 If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited.

11 Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter.

12 If you say, “ But we didn’t know about this,” won’t He who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t He who protects your life know? Won’t He repay a person according to his work?