Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24:1

Never envy the prosperity of wicked men, nor desire any intimacy or connection with them

Proverbs 24:2

For they contrive and labour to ruin others that themselves may become rich and great; and, by lies, calumnies, and the like, they labour to undo them; but such conduct will at last bring destruction upon their own head

Proverbs 24:3-6

True godliness, attended with prudence and diligence, is the proper method to procure estates, raise families, get wealth, strength, or victory

Proverbs 24:7

Solid knowledge, and serious and sensible discourse, are above the reach of foolish, inconsiderate, persons; nor can these judge or advise to any purpose in public concerns

Proverbs 24:8

The more art and contrivance there is in doing evil the more malignity is there in it; and the doer ought to be held as ignominious and detestable

Proverbs 24:9

The inclination to, and contrivance of, evil is sin: but he that makes a sport of sin, and contemns reproofs for it, ought to be abhorred by every person

Proverbs 24:10

To give up all for lost, and be discouraged from duty, in the time of distress, is a great evidence of weakness in knowledge, wisdom, courage, and grace. 11, 12. If pretending that thou didst not know their case, or how to relieve them, thou neglectest to exert thyself for the deliverance of persons, who, by hatred, envy, or false accusations, are in danger of losing their life, remember that God, who knows all the secrets of thy heart, who preserves thy soul in life, and observes all the motions of it, will severely punish thee, and give thee up to similar distress. 13, 14 As the most delightful satisfaction and nourishment are found in eating of honey, especially that pure part of it which drops from the comb, so shall solid and spiritual wisdom, and knowledge be pleasant and profitable to thy soul, issuing in abundant, present, and eternal, happiness, answerable to, and even far exceeding, thy most enlarged expectations. 15, 16 To attempt by craft or violence to ruin the righteous, even under their affliction, is as vain as it is malicious: for, though they may frequently fall into sin or trouble for a time, the Lord again raises them up: but wicked men are finally left in their sins, and plunged into irretrievable ruin. 17, 18. Never rejoice, no not in heart, when any private enemy of thine falls into sin or trouble, lest the Lord be thereby provoked to deliver him, and plunge thee into the miserable condition from which he is recovered. 19, 20. Never envy the prosperity of wicked men, nor be enticed to follow their impieties on account of it; for, whatever may be their appearance, they can have no real happiness here, nor any thing but eternal misery hereafter: and often their blase of outward prosperity is quickly extinguished, and either they or their seed reduced to wretchedness even in this life. 21, 22. Always reverence, worship, and obey God as thy own God in Christ: and be humbly obedient to magistrates, as his deputies on earth. Never have any thing to do with those who appear fond of novelties, either in religion or in civil government; for unexpected and inconceivably dreadful calamities shall unavoidably and violently seize upon such, and upon their associates

Proverbs 24:23

If thou wouldest be and appear wise, abhor it, as a thing extremely sinful and ruinous, to regard persons in judgment, on account of any thing else but the merits of their cause

Proverbs 24:24

Whoever, contrary to evidence, pronounces a wicked man innocent, or a bad cause to be good, exposes himself to the curses and detestation of men, and the fearful vengeance of God

Proverbs 24:25

But they who labour earnestly to check vice, by the just punishment of evil-doers shall have satisfaction in their own mind, and shall be remarkably blessed of God, and prayed for and commended by men

Proverbs 24:26

Every person will highly honour and dearly love him who speaks the plain, naked, edifying, and seasonable, truth, whether as a judge, a witness, or private person

Proverbs 24:27

Never undertake or begin any weighty affair without deliberate thought and sufficient preparation

Proverbs 24:28

Never rashly or groundlessly affirm or insinuate any thing to the hurt of thy neighbour’s character: and never entice any one to believe or say ill of him

Proverbs 24:29

Never, either in heart, word, or deed, revenge the injuries done to thee

Proverbs 24:30-34

And, from the misery and want which others have brought upon themselves, by their negligence, sloth, or mis-spending of time, learn earnestly to avoid these things, as ruinous to thy outward estate as well as to the spiritual and eternal happiness of thy soul