Online Bible

Do not be ^aenvious of evil people,Nor desire to ^bbe with them;2 For their ¹minds plot ^aviolence,And their lips ^btalk of trouble.

3 ^aBy wisdom a house is built,And by understanding it is established;4 And by knowledge the rooms are ^afilledWith all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A ^awise man is ¹strong,And a person of knowledge ²increases power.6 For ^aby wise guidance you will ¹wage war,And ^bin an abundance of counselors there is victory.

7 Wisdom is ^atoo exalted for a fool,He does not open his mouth ^bat the gate.

8 One who ^aplans to do evil,People will call a ¹schemer.9 The ^adevising of foolishness is sin,And the scoffer is an abomination to humanity.

10 If you ^ashow yourself lacking courage on the day of distress,Your strength is meager.

11 ^aRescue those who are being taken away to death,And those who are staggering to the slaughter, Oh hold them back!12 If you say, “See, we did not know this,”Does He ^awho weighs the hearts not ^bconsider it?And ^cdoes He who ^dwatches over your soul not know it?And will He not ¹^erepay a person according to his work?

13 My son, eat ^ahoney, for it is good;Yes, the ^bhoney from the comb is sweet to your taste;14 Know that ^awisdom is the same for your soul;If you find it, then there will be a ¹^bfuture,And your hope will not be cut off.

15 ^aDo not lie in ambush, you wicked person, against the home of the righteous;Do not destroy his resting place;16 For a ^arighteous person falls seven times and rises again,But the ^bwicked stumble in time of disaster.

17 ^aDo not rejoice when your enemy falls,And do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,18 Otherwise, the LORD will see and ¹be displeased,And turn His anger away from him.

19 ^aDo not get upset because of evildoersOr be ^benvious of the wicked;20 For ^athere will be no ¹^bfuture for the evil person;The ^clamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, ¹^afear the LORD and the king;Do not get involved with those ²of high rank,22 For their ^adisaster will rise suddenly,And who knows the ruin that can come from both of them?

23 These also are ^asayings of the wise:To ¹^bshow partiality in judgment is not good.24 One ^awho says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”^bPeoples will curse him, nations will scold him;25 But ^afor those who rebuke the wicked there will be delight,And a good blessing will come upon them.26 One who gives ¹a right answerKisses the lips.

27 Prepare your work outside,And ^amake it ready for yourself in the field;Afterward, then, build your house.

28 Do not be a ^awitness against your neighbor for no reason,And ^bdo not deceive with your lips.29 ^aDo not say, “I shall do the same to him as he has done to me;I will ¹repay the person according to his work.”

30 I passed by the field of ¹a lazy one,And by the vineyard of a person ^alacking ²sense,31 And behold, it was completely ^aovergrown with weeds;Its surface was covered with ^bweeds,And its stone ^cwall was broken down.32 When I saw, I ¹reflected upon it;I looked, and received instruction.33 “^aA little sleep, a little slumber,A little folding of the hands to rest,”34 Then your poverty will come like ¹a drifter,And your need like ²an armed man.