3
By 5wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
4
by knowledge the rooms are filled with all 6precious and pleasant riches.
5
7A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
8
Whoever 12plans to do evil will be called a schemer.
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If you 15faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
11
16Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
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If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," 17does not he who 18weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who 19keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man 20according to his work?
13
My son, 21eat honey, for it is good, and 22the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14
Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be 23a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
15
24Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;
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25for the righteous falls 26seven times and rises again, but 27the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
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28Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
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lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
21
My son, 33fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,
22
for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
More Sayings of the Wise
24
Whoever 36says to the wicked, "You are in the right," 37will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
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but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.
26
Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.
27
38Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.
28
39Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
29
Do not say, 40"I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done."
31
and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone 43wall was broken down.
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Then I saw and 44considered it; I looked and received instruction.
33
45A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
34
and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)