Proverbs 24

Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;

for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.

Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,

for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.

Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.

One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.

The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.

Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;

so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off.

Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;

for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,

lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;

for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,

for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?

These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.

He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—

but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.

Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.

Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,

so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter contrasts the way of wisdom with the ways of envy, violence, laziness, and injustice, urging the pursuit of wise living as essential for stability, moral integrity, and divine approval. It continues Proverbs’ broader theme of calling the learner to discernment, warning against complicity with evil while emphasizing personal responsibility and the reliability of God’s justice.

Flow.

Begins with a warning against envying or aligning with evildoers, whose inner intentions are destructive (vv. 1–2).
Celebrates wisdom as the foundation of strength, household prosperity, and successful action, especially through counsel (vv. 3–6).
Condemns foolish scheming and mockery of wisdom, stresses courage in times of trouble, and calls for defending the oppressed (vv. 7–12).
Uses metaphors of nourishment and reward to motivate the pursuit of wisdom, then warns against violence, rejoicing in enemies’ downfall, and anxiety over the wicked (vv. 13–20).
Urges fear of God and ruler, impartiality in judgment, honesty in speech, diligence in work, and care in witness (vv. 21–29).
Concludes with the parable of the neglected field, teaching that laziness leads to inevitable ruin (vv. 30–34).

Connections. Following chapter 23, which warned against overreaching ambition and advised vigilance in speech and labor, this chapter intensifies the moral call by confronting the heart’s disposition toward evil and oppression. It deepens the theme of wisdom’s superiority, which chapter 25 continues by presenting more sayings of the wise and further contrasts between righteous and wicked living.

What it teaches. True wisdom is rooted in the fear of the Lord and produces justice, diligence, and mercy (WCF 16.7; HC LD 32). Defending the defenseless reflects God’s own character as the one who knows the heart and repays every person according to their deeds (WCF 3.7; HC LD 40). Partiality in judgment perverts righteousness (Canons of Dort 3–4.10), while honest speech and labor honor God’s order (WCF 2.1; Belgic Confession 36). The sluggard’s field serves as a visible parable of what neglect yields: God’s moral and providential governance ensures that all actions have consequences (WCF 5.7; HC LD 9).

Apply. When you see someone struggling under injustice or danger, act as one accountable to the God who sees all hearts.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.