Proverbs chapter 24
The collection of 30 sayings of the wise men conclude. And the Other Sayings of the Wise begin.
THE 30 SAYINGS OF THE WISE MEN CONCLUDE
VERSE 1. Don’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:
Don’t be envious of evil men. In the 30 Sayings of the Wise Men, it warns us three times against being envious of the wicked.
VERSE 2. for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.
violence. Whether it is silent speech or violent actions, violence is part and parcel of the life of evil people.
VERSE 3. Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
a house is built. This might refer to constructing a literal house. Or the undertaking of any enterprise.
VERSE 4. by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
VERSE 5. A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
great power. Wisdom gives us strength to accomplish our tasks.
VERSE 6. for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.
NIV translation: So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.
victory depends on having many advisers. Some Christians see their leaders as a sort of modern-day Moses: large and in-charge, totally in-tune with the movement of the Holy Spirit, surrounded by lesser people whose job is to “follow.”
Such people act as though they are infallible. However, that is not the biblical model. In this verse we see that a leader needs advisors.
Even the modern-day genius Steve Jobs had a board of directors that he conferred with.
He surrounded himself with fellow geniuses, people he could bounce ideas past.
By making himself accountable to them, this did not diminish his role as undisputed leader. It enhanced it. He is considered one of the greatest CEOs of all time.
VERSE 7. Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
VERSE 8. One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
a schemer. Some people are always scheming to harm others.
VERSE 9. The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
VERSE 10. If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
in the time of trouble. If we act unwisely during a stressful time, then perhaps we were not wise all along.
VERSE 11. Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Proverbs and from the entire Bible.
NIV translation: Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
Rescue those being led away to death. There are real-world instances where people are being beaten to death.
We could intervene to save their lives, although the risks to ourselves can be substantial.
During World War II, some Christians in Germany sheltered Jewish people in their homes. The risks to themselves were severe.
However, they literally rescued those being led away to death. They are true heroes of the faith.
VERSE 12. If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this;” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
VERSE 13. My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
sweet to your taste. In those days, honey was the sweetest substance known.
VERSE 14. so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off.
Honey is sweet to taste. And wisdom is sweet to the soul.
VERSE 15. Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place:
Don’t lay in wait. That is, don’t attack or rob other people.
VERSE 16. for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
VERSE 17. Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. In our day, cultures are increasingly based on hatred and rage. But the Lord Jesus Christ commands us to love our enemies. And bless them. Read more »
VERSE 18. lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
VERSE 19. Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:
Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers. That is, fretting over what sinners have and do. Wanting to join them is wrong because they have no future hope.
Psalm 37:1. Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
VERSE 20. for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
VERSE 21. My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious:
and the king. A king can punish the unrighteous.
Although for most of the history of Israel and Judah, the kings were the most evil of all people.
VERSE 22. for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both—who knows?
OTHER SAYINGS OF THE WISE
SUMMARY: These verses present an additional six sayings of the wise men
VERSE 23. These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
partiality in judgment. The Bible condemns unjust judges.
VERSE 24. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous;” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
VERSE 25. but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
VERSE 26. An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
like a kiss on the lips. Honest words are a wonderful treasure.
VERSE 27. Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
your work outside. Most people in Israel were farmers. They first needed to tend to plowing and sowing and reaping and other farm work. Then they could attend to their house.
VERSE 28. Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
VERSE 29. Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
as he has done to me. Taking revenge through perjury is forbidden.
VERSE 30. I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
the sluggard. To be called a sluggard is a great biblical insult. Solomon often writes about the sluggardly person. Read more »
VERSE 31. Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
VERSE 32. Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
I saw, and considered. A wise person not only sees, but also considers what was seen. They observe and consider and grow from it.
VERSE 33. a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;
VERSE 34. so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
PROVERBS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Sluggard, Tree of Life, Misogynism
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.