The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Proverbs 24

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Proverbs chapter 24 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “Be not thou envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them.” — the complete text of all 34 verses is below, free to read online.

1Be not thou envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them.

2For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

3Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established;

4And by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

6For with wise advice thou shalt make thy war; and in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7Wisdom is as unattainable to a fool as corals; he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8He that deviseth to do evil, men shall call him a mischievous person.

9The thought of foolishness is sin; and the scorner is an abomination to men.

10If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small indeed.

11Deliver them that are drawn unto death; and those that are ready to be slain wilt thou forbear to rescue?

12If thou sayest: 'Behold, we knew not this', doth not He that weigheth the hearts consider it? And He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? And shall not He render to every man according to his works?

13My son, eat thou honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to thy taste;

14So know thou wisdom to be unto thy soul; if thou hast found it, then shall there be a future, and thy hope shall not be cut off.

15Lie not in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous, spoil not his resting-place;

16For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, but the wicked stumble under adversity.

17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth;

18Lest HaShem see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.

19Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20For there will be no future to the evil man, the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

21My son, fear thou HaShem and the king, and meddle not with them that are given to change;

22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin from them both?

23These also are sayings of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.

24He that saith unto the wicked: 'Thou art righteous', peoples shall curse him, nations shall execrate him;

25But to them that decide justly shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26He kisseth the lips that giveth a right answer.

27Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thy house.

28Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

29Say not: 'I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.'

30I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31And, lo, it was all grown over with thistles, the face thereof was covered with nettles, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction.

33'Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep'--

34So shall thy poverty come as a runner, and thy want as an armed man.

34 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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