Skip to content
Proverbs / Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction (part 2)
Navigation
A A
Introduction: The Purpose of Proverbs and the Fear of the Lord Warning Against Enticement by Sinners Wisdom's Public Call and the Folly of Rejection The Value of Wisdom and Its Protection Trusting God and Walking in Wisdom A Father's Exhortation to Hold Fast to Wisdom Warning Against Adultery and a Call to Fidelity Warnings: Surety, Laziness, and Wickedness Obey Parental Commands and the Dangers of Adultery The Example of a Young Man Seduced Wisdom's Proclamation and Blessings Contrasting Invitations of Wisdom and Folly Solomon's Proverbs: Contrasts of Righteousness and Folly Proverbs on Justice, Integrity, and Righteous Living Wise Conduct, Diligence, and Righteous Speech Discipline, Wealth, and the Wise Child Sayings on Wisdom, Folly, and the Fear of the Lord The Power of Speech and the Benefits of Wisdom God's Sovereignty Over Human Plans Relations and Righteousness: Peace, Speech, and Integrity The Power of Words and the Nature of Companionship Advice on Wealth, Conduct, and Discipline Counsel, Justice, and Warnings Against Excess Divine Sovereignty, Justice, and the King's Role Reputation, Generosity, and Child Discipline Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction (part 1) Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction (part 2) Solomon's Proverbs on Restraint and Leadership Folly and Foolish Behavior in Speech and Deeds Friendship, Counsel, and Practical Wisdom for Life Justice, Righteousness, and the Results of Rebellion Discipline, Leadership, and Social Order The Sayings of Agur: Humility and Observations Advice to King Lemuel and the Virtuous Woman

Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction (part 2)

Proverbs 23:32-24:34

23
Chapter 23
32 Its latter end is like a serpent that bites, and like vipers it spreads out. 33 Your eyes will see foreign things, and your heart will speak perversities. 34 You will be like one lying in the heart of the sea, like one lying on the top of the mast. 35 "They have beaten me—they have established me—though I have not been cultically unclean; they have beaten me—though I have not known. When will I awake? I will add, I will seek it still."
24
Chapter 24
1 Do not envy men of moral evil, and do not desire to be with them. 2 for their heart will mutter in their breast and their lips will speak toil. 3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established. 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant wealth. 5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge strengthens strength. 6 For by strategic counsels you shall make warfare for yourself, and salvation is in an abundance of counsel. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate for wisdom. 8 They will call him a plotter, the one who does moral evil for himself, the owner of moral outrages. 9 The plotting of folly is sin and an abomination to Adam, a mocker. 10 If you let your hand grow slack on a day of distress, your strength is narrow. 11 Deliver those taken to death and those stumbling to slaughter if you grow dark. 12 If you say, "Behold, we did not know this"—does not he who weighs hearts understand it? And he who guards your nephesh—he knows; and he returns to man according to his deed. 13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the dripping honeycomb is sweet to your wisdom. 14 So know wisdom for your soul; if you find it, then there is an end, and your hope will not be cut off. 15 Do not lie in wait, wicked one, for the dwelling of the righteous; do not plunder his lying place. 16 For a righteous man falls seven times and rises, and the wicked stumble in evil. 17 Do not rejoice in your enemy's falling, and do not let your heart exult in his stumbling. 18 lest the LORD see it and it be evil in his eyes, and he turn back his anger from upon him. 19 Do not fret over evildoers; do not envy the wicked. 20 For there will not be an end for the evil; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. 21 Fear the LORD, my son and king; do not mix in with changers. 22 For suddenly their disaster will arise and their ruin, both of them—who knows? 23 Also these things to the wise: Recognize faces in legal judgment—this is not good. 24 He says to the wicked, "You are righteous." Peoples will spurn him; peoples will be indignant at him. 25 And it will be pleasant to those who rebuke it, and a blessing of good will will come on them. 26 He kisses the lips that return established words. 27 Prepare your outside work and make it fit for the field; afterward, build your house. 28 Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor, and do not deceive with your lips. 29 Do not say, "As he did to me, so I will do to him; I will repay the man according to his deed." 30 I passed by the field of a lazy man and by the vineyard of a man lacking heart. 31 And behold, it had all grown up with weeds. Thorns covered it, and its stone boundary wall was broken down. 32 And I had a prophetic vision; I set my heart to it. I saw and took discipline. 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down. 34 and your poverty will come walking about and your need like a man shield.