1Do not envy evil people or wish you were with them,

2because their minds plot violence, and their lips talk trouble.

3With wisdom a house is built. With understanding it is established.

4With knowledge its rooms are filled with every kind of riches, both precious and pleasant.

5A strong man knows how to use his strength, but a person with knowledge is even more powerful.

6After all, with the right strategy you can wage war, and with many advisers there is victory.

7Matters of wisdom are beyond the grasp of a stubborn fool. At the city gate he does not open his mouth.

8Whoever plans to do evil will be known as a schemer.

9Foolish scheming is sinful, and a mocker is disgusting to everyone.

10If you faint in a crisis, you are weak.

11Rescue captives condemned to death, and spare those staggering toward their slaughter.

12When you say, "We didn't know this," won't the one who weighs hearts take note of it? Won't the one who guards your soul know it? Won't he pay back people for what they do?

13Eat honey, my son, because it is good. Honey that flows from the honeycomb tastes sweet.

14The knowledge of wisdom is like that for your soul. If you find it, then there is a future, and your hope will never be cut off.

15You wicked one, do not lie in ambush at the home of a righteous person. Do not rob his house.

16A righteous person may fall seven times, but he gets up again. However, in a disaster wicked people fall.

17Do not be happy when your enemy falls, and do not feel glad when he stumbles.

18The LORD will see it, he won't like it, and he will turn his anger away from that person.

19Do not get overly upset with evildoers. Do not envy wicked people,

20because an evil person has no future, and the lamps of wicked people will be snuffed out.

21Fear the LORD, my son. Fear the king as well. Do not associate with those who always insist upon change,

22because disaster will come to them suddenly. Who knows what misery both may bring?

23These also are the sayings of wise people: Showing partiality as a judge is not good.

24Whoever says to a guilty person, "You are innocent," will be cursed by people and condemned by nations.

25But people will be pleased with those who convict a guilty person, and a great blessing will come to them.

26Giving a straight answer is [like] a kiss on the lips.

27Prepare your work outside, and get things ready for yourself in the field. Afterwards, build your house.

28Do not testify against your neighbor without a reason, and do not deceive with your lips.

29Do not say, "I'll treat him as he treated me. I'll pay him back for what he has done to me."

30I passed by a lazy person's field, the vineyard belonging to a person without sense.

31I saw that it was all overgrown with thistles. The ground was covered with weeds, and its stone fence was torn down.

32When I observed [this], I took it to heart. I saw it and learned my lesson.

33"Just a little sleep, just a little slumber, just a little nap."

34Then your poverty will come like a drifter, and your need will come like a bandit.