Proverbs 24:19-34 ▼

19 You must not fret at the evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked,

20 for there is no posterity for an evil one, and the lamp of the wicked ones will be extinguished.

21 Fear YHWH, my son, and the king; do not pledge yourself with ones who change,

22 for suddenly their downfall will arise, and the ruin of them both—who knows?

23 These also are of the wise ones: The recognizing of faces in giving judgment is not good.

24 One saying to a wicked one, “You are righteous”—peoples will curse him; nations will denounce him;

25 and to those reproving it will be pleasant, and upon them will come a blessing of goodness.

26 The lips he kisses—the one returning straightforward words.

27 Prepare your work in the outdoors, and make it ready in the field for yourself; and afterward you may build your house.

28 You must not be a witness without cause against your neighbor or deceive with your lips.

29 Do not say, “According to what he has done to me, so I will do to him; I will return to the man according to his deed.”

30 Near the field of a lazy man I passed by, and near the vineyard of a man lacking heart.

31 And behold, thorns had come up all over it; its face was covered with nettles, and the wall of its stones was torn down.

32 And I saw—I—I set my heart; I have seen, I have received instruction.

33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little a folding of the hands to rest,

34 and your poverty has come as one traveling, and your needs like a man of shield.