Proverbs 24

1 Don't be envious of evil people, and don't desire to be with them.

2 For their minds are occupied with violence, and their lips speak of making trouble.

3 By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is made secure,

4 and by knowledge its rooms are filled with all kinds of costly and pleasant possessions.

5 A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge grows in strength.

6 For with clever strategy you wage your war, and victory comes from having many advisers.

7 Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; he keeps his mouth shut at the city gate.

8 He who plans to do evil people call a schemer.

9 The evil plans of the foolish are sin, and people detest a scorner.

10 If you slack off on a day of distress, your strength is small indeed.

11 Yes, rescue those being dragged off to death -won't you save those about to be killed?

12 If you say, "We knew nothing about it,"won't he who weighs hearts discern it? Yes, he who guards you will know it and repay each one as his deeds deserve.

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; honeycomb drippings are sweet to your taste.

14 Know that wisdom is similar[ly sweet] to your soul; if you find it, then you will have a future, what you hope for will not be cut off.

15 Don't lurk like an outlaw near the home of the righteous, don't raid the place where he lives.

16 For though he falls seven times, he will get up again; it's the wicked who fail under stress.

17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls; don't let your heart be glad when he stumbles.

18 For ADONAI might see it, and it would displease him; he might withdraw his anger from your foe.

19 Don't get upset because of evildoers; don't be envious of the wicked.

20 For the evil person has no future -the lamp of the wicked will go out.

21 My son, don't get involved with revolutionaries, but fear ADONAI and the king.

22 For disaster from them will suddenly appear, and who knows what ruin they both can cause?

23 These also are sayings of the wise: Showing partiality in judgment is not good.

24 He who tells the guilty, "You are innocent,"will be cursed by peoples, reviled by nations;

25 but with those who condemn him, things will go well, and a good blessing will come upon them.

26 Giving an honest answer is like giving a kiss.

27 Prepare your outside work, and get things ready for yourself on the land; after that, build your house.

28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor for no reason -would you use your lips to deceive?

29 Don't say, "I'll do to him what he did to me, I'll pay him back what his deeds deserve."

30 I passed by the field of the lazy man and the vineyard of the man lacking sense.

31 There it was, overgrown with thistles; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 I looked, and I thought about it; I saw, and I learned this lesson:

33 "I'll just lie here a bit, rest a little longer, just fold my hands for a little more sleep"-

34 and poverty comes marching in on you, scarcity hits you like an invading soldier.

Proverbs 24 Commentary

Chapter 24

Verses 1-2 Envy not sinners. And let not a desire ever come into thy mind, Oh that I could shake off restraints! ( 3-6 ) . Piety and prudence in outward affairs, both go together to complete a wise man. By knowledge the soul is filled with the graces and comforts of the spirit, those precious and pleasant riches. The spirit is strengthened for the spiritual work and the spiritual warfare, by true wisdom. ( 7-9 ) . A weak man thinks wisdom is too high for him, therefore he will take no pains for it. It is bad to do evil, but worse to devise it. Even the first risings of sin in the heart are sin, and must be repented of. Those that strive to make others hateful, make themselves so. Verse 10 . Under troubles we are apt to despair of relief. But be of good ( proverbs 24:11-12 ) know that his neighbour is in danger by any unjust proceeding, he is bound to do all in his power to deliver him. And what is it to suffer immortal souls to perish, when our persuasions and ( proverbs 24:13-14 ) quickened to the study of wisdom by considering both the pleasure and the profit of it. All men relish things that are sweet to the palate; but many have no relish for the things that are sweet to the purified soul, and that make us wise unto ( proverbs 24:15-16 ) do, by stumbling at some stone in his path; but gets up, and goes on his way with more care and speed. This is rather to be understood of falls into affliction, than falls into actual sin. ( proverbs 24:17-18 ) ( proverbs 24:19-20 ) ( proverbs 24:21-22 ) The godly in the land, will be quiet in the land. There may be cause to change for the better, but have nothing to do with them that are given change. ( 23-26 ) . The wisdom God giveth, renders a man fit for his station. Every one who finds the benefit of the right answer, will be attached to him that gave it. Verse 27 . We must prefer necessaries before conveniences, and not go in debt. ( proverbs 24:28-29 ) ( 30-34 ) . See what a blessing the husbandman's calling is, and what a wilderness this earth would be without it. See what great difference there is in the management even of worldly affairs. Sloth and self-indulgence are the bane of all good. When we see fields overgrown with thorns and thistles, and the fences broken down, we see an emblem of the far more deplorable state of many souls. Every vile affection grows in men's hearts; yet they compose themselves to sleep. Let us show wisdom by doubling our diligence in every good thing.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 12

This chapter relates Rehoboam's going to Shechem to be made king, and Jeroboam's return from Egypt, 1Ki 12:1,2, the people's request to Rehoboam to be eased of their taxes, as the condition of making him king, 1Ki 12:3,4, his answer to them, after three days, having had the advice both of the old and young men, which latter he followed, and gave in a rough answer, 1Ki 12:5-15, upon which ten tribes revolted from him, and two abode by him, 1Ki 12:16-20, wherefore he meditated a war against the ten tribes, but was forbid by the Lord to engage in it, 1Ki 12:21-24 and Jeroboam, in order to establish his kingdom, and preserve the people from a revolt to the house of David, because of the temple worship at Jerusalem, devised a scheme of idolatrous worship in his own territories, 1Ki 12:25-33.