24:15 Do not lie in wait like the wicked 1 against the place where the righteous live;
do not assault 2 his home.
24:16 Although 3 a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again,
but the wicked will be brought down 4 by calamity.
24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, 5
and when he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice,
24:18 lest the Lord see it, and be displeased, 6
and turn his wrath away from him. 7
24:19 Do not fret because of evil people
or be envious of wicked people,
24:20 for the evil person has no future, 8
and the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. 9
24:21 Fear the Lord, my child, 10 as well as the king,
and do not associate 11 with rebels, 12
24:22 for suddenly their destruction will overtake them, 13
and who knows the ruinous judgment both the Lord and the king can bring? 14
24:23 These sayings also are from the wise:
To show partiality 15 in judgment is terrible: 16
24:24 The one who says to the guilty, 17 “You are innocent,” 18
peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce 19 him.
24:25 But there will be delight 20 for those who convict 21 the guilty, 22
and a pleasing blessing 23 will come on them.
24:26 Like a kiss on the lips 24
is the one who gives an honest answer.
24:27 Establish your work outside and get your fields ready;
afterward build 25 your house. 26
24:28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, 27
and do not deceive with your words. 28
24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will pay him back 29 according to what he has done.” 30
24:30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. 31
24:31 I saw 32 that thorns had grown up all over it,
the ground 33 was covered with weeds,
and its stone wall was broken down.
24:32 When I saw this, I gave careful consideration to it; 34
I received instruction from what I saw: 35
24:33 “A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to relax,
24:34 and your poverty will come like a bandit,
and your need like an armed robber.” 36