Proverbs Chapter 24
Proverbs 24 KJV
1. Be not thou envious against evil men, [a] neither desire to be with them.
[a] Prov. 3:31, 14:30; Acts 7:9, 17:5.
2. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3. Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4. And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. [b]
[b] Prov. 11:14.
7. Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8. He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9. The thought of foolishness is sin: [c] and the scorner is an abomination to men.
[c] Memorize (see note on Prov. 21:4).
10. If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. [1]
[1] Verses 10-12 deal with one of the most serious problems in the Body of Christ in America since 1933: the absolute refusal of American Christians to witness and tell unsaved adults they’re going to Hell when they die, although they know they will. They were commanded to witness (Prov. 31:8; Acts 1:8), and to warn people that they could die in their sins and wind up in the Lake of Fire (Ezek. 18:20-24; Acts 20:26-27). Ninety-five percent of them will not do it, and about 85% of the preachers will not do it. They do not want to risk being ridiculed or losing their social status or “image” among their friends and neighbors.
11. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12. If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart 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?
13. My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: [d]
[d] Prov. 25:16, 27.
14. So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
15. Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16. For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18. Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
20. For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21. My son, fear thou the LORD [e] and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
[e] Job 28:28; Isa. 50:10; Jer. 26:19; Mat. 3:16; Luke 23:40; Acts 10:35; Jon. 1:16, etc.
22. For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23. These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25. But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26. Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27. Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
28. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
29. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
30. I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
>>>>>>> Additional Notes <<<<<<<
Note on Prov. 21:4 KJV
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. [1] [c]
[1] This verse is one of the definitions of “sin” in the Bible (see also Prov. 24:9; 1 John 3:4, 5:17). It teaches the great truth that legitimate work can be a sin if it causes a man to reject Christ or delay receiving Him (John 16:9). It violates the direct command of Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:33.
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