Mashaym (Proverbs) — 24

1 Do not envy evil people or desire their company.

2 For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble.

3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.

4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.

5 The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.

6 So do not go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.

7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.

8 A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker.

9 The schemes of a fool are sinful; everyone detests a mocker.

10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.

11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death.

12 Do not excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we did not know.” For 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH  understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

13 My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.

14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.

15 Do not wait in ambush at the home of the righteous, and do not raid the house where the righteous live.

16 The righteous may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemies fall; do not be happy when they stumble.

18 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.

19 Do not fret because of evildoers; do not envy the wicked.

20 For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

21 My child, fear 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and the king. Do not associate with rebels,

22  for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and the king?

More Sayings of the Wise

23 Here are some further sayings of the wise:

It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.

24 A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.

25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich Barakah will be showered on them.

26 An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.

27 Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.

28 Do not testify against your neighbors without cause; do not lie about them.

29 And do not say, “Now I can pay them back for what they have done to me! I will get even with them!”

30 I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense.

31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down.

32 Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson:

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

34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.