181 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
181 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 24
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1. Don't envy evil people
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or desire their company.
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2. For their hearts plot violence,
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and their words always stir up trouble.
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3. A house is built by wisdom
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and becomes strong through good sense.
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4. Through knowledge its rooms are filled
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with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
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5. The wise are mightier than the strong,
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and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
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6. So don't go to war without wise guidance;
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victory depends on having many advisers.
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7. Wisdom is too lofty for fools.
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Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.
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8. A person who plans evil
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will get a reputation as a troublemaker.
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9. The schemes of a fool are sinful;
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everyone detests a mocker.
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10. If you fail under pressure,
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your strength is too small.
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11. Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;
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save them as they stagger to their death.
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12. Don't excuse yourself by saying, "Look, we didn't know."
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For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
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He who guards your soul knows you knew.
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He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
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13. My child, eat honey, for it is good,
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and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
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14. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.
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If you find it, you will have a bright future,
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and your hopes will not be cut short.
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15. Don't wait in ambush at the home of the godly,
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and don't raid the house where the godly live.
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16. The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
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But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
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17. Don't rejoice when your enemies fall;
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don't be happy when they stumble.
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18. For the LORD will be displeased with you
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and will turn his anger away from them.
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19. Don't fret because of evildoers;
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don't envy the wicked.
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20. For evil people have no future;
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the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
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21. My child, fear the LORD and the king.
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Don't associate with rebels,
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22. for disaster will hit them suddenly.
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Who knows what punishment will come
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from the LORD and the king?
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More Sayings of the Wise
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23. Here are some further sayings of the wise:
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It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
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24. A judge who says to the wicked, "You are innocent,"
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will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.
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25. But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;
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rich blessings will be showered on them.
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26. An honest answer
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is like a kiss of friendship.
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27. Do your planning and prepare your fields
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before building your house.
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28. Don't testify against your neighbors without cause;
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don't lie about them.
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29. And don't say, "Now I can pay them back for what they've done to me!
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I'll get even with them!"
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30. I walked by the field of a lazy person,
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the vineyard of one with no common sense.
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31. I saw that it was overgrown with nettles.
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It was covered with weeds,
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and its walls were broken down.
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32. Then, as I looked and thought about it,
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I learned this lesson:
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33. A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
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a little folding of the hands to rest--
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34. then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
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scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
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