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