Proverbs 24

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Seek not to be like evil men, neither desire to be with them:	1 Be not emulous of evil men, and desire not to be with them;
2 Because their mind studieth robberies, and their lips speak deceits.	2 For their hearts plot violence, and their lips speak of foul play.
3 By wisdom the house shall be built, and by prudence it shall be strengthened.	3 By wisdom is a house built, by understanding is it made firm;
4 By instruction the storerooms shall be filled with all precious and most beautiful wealth.	4 And by knowledge are its rooms filled with every precious and pleasing possession.
5 A wise man is strong: and a knowing man, stout and valiant.	5 A wise man is more powerful than a strong man, and a man of knowledge than a man of might;
6 Because war is managed by due ordering: and there shall be safety where there are many counsels.	6 For it is by wise guidance that you wage your war, and the victory is due to a wealth of counselors.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool, in the gate he shall not open his mouth.	7 For a fool, to be silent is wisdom; not to open his mouth at the gate.
8 He that deviseth to do evils, shall be called a fool.	8 He who plots evil doing-- men call him an intriguer.
9 The thought of a fool is sin: and the detracter is the abomination of men.	9 Beyond intrigue and folly and sin, it is arrogance that men find abominable.
10 If thou lose hope being weary in the day of distress, thy strength shall be diminished.	10 If you remain indifferent in time of adversity, your strength will depart from you.
11 Deliver them that are led to death: and those that are drawn to death forbear not to deliver.	11 Rescue those who are being dragged to death, and from those tottering to execution withdraw not.
12 If thou say: I have not strength enough: he that seeth into the heart, he understandeth, and nothing deceiveth the keeper of thy soul, end he shall render to a man according to his works.	12 If you say, "I know not this man!" does not he who tests hearts perceive it? He who guards your life knows it, and he will repay each one according to his deeds.
13 Fat honey, my son, because it is good, and the honeycomb most sweet to thy throat:	13 If you eat honey, my son, because it is good, if virgin honey is sweet to your taste;
14 So also is the doctrine of wisdom to thy soul: which when thou hast found, thou shalt have hope in the end, and thy hope shall not perish.	14 Such, you must know, is wisdom to your soul. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
15 Lie not in wait, nor seek after wickedness in the house of the just, nor spoil his rest.	15 Lie not in wait against the home of the just man, ravage not his dwelling place;
16 For a just mall shall fall seven times and shall rise again: but the wicked shall fall down into evil.	16 For the just man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble to ruin.
17 When thy enemy shall fall, be not glad, and in his ruin let not thy heart rejoice:	17 Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and when he stumbles, let not your heart exult,
18 Lest the Lord see, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.	18 Lest the LORD see it, be displeased with you, and withdraw his wrath from your enemy.
19 Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the ungodly:	19 Be not provoked with evildoers, nor envious of the wicked;
20 For evil men have no hope of things to come, and the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.	20 For the evil man has no future, the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king: and have nothing to do with detracters.	21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; have nothing to do with those who rebel against them;
22 For their destruction shall rise suddenly: and who knoweth the ruin of both?	22 For suddenly arises the destruction they send, and the ruin from either one, who can measure?
23 These things also to the wise: It is not good to have respect to persons in judgment.	23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 They that say to the wicked man: Thou art just: shall be cursed by the people, and the tribes shall abhor them.	24 He who says to the wicked man, "You are just"-- men will curse him, people will denounce him;
25 They that rebuke him, shall be praised: and a blessing shall come upon them.	25 But those who convict the evildoer will fare well, and on them will come the blessing of prosperity.
26 He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words.	26 He gives a kiss on the lips who makes an honest reply.
27 Prepare thy work without, and diligently till thy ground: that afterward thou mayst build thy house.	27 Complete your outdoor tasks, and arrange your work in the field; afterward you can establish your house.
28 Be not witness without cause against thy neighbour: and deceive not any man with thy lips.	28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without just cause, thus committing folly with your lips.
29 Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I will render to every one according to his work.	29 Say not, "As he did to me, so will I do to him; I will repay the man according to his deeds."
30 I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish man:	30 I passed by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man without sense;
31 And behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was broken down.	31 And behold! it was all overgrown with thistles; its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall broken down.
32 Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and by the example I received instruction.	32 And as I gazed at it, I reflected; I saw and learned the lesson:
33 Thou wilt sleep a little, said I, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to rest:	33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest--
34 And poverty shall come to thee as a runner, and beggary as an armed man.	34 Then will poverty come upon you like a highwayman, and want like an armed man.