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

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 <em>is</em> strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers <em>there is</em> safety.

7 Wisdom <em>is</em> 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 <em>is</em> sin: and the scorner <em>is</em> an abomination to men.

10 <em>If</em> thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength <em>is</em> small.

11 If thou forbear to deliver <em>them that are</em> drawn unto death, and <em>those that are</em> ready to be slain;

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider <em>it</em>? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth <em>not</em> he know <em>it</em>? and shall <em>not</em> he render to <em>every</em> man according to his works?

13 My son, eat thou honey, because <em>it is</em> good; and the honeycomb, <em>which is</em> sweet to thy taste:

14 So <em>shall</em> the knowledge of wisdom <em>be</em> unto thy soul: when thou hast found <em>it</em>, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked <em>man</em>, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

16 For a just <em>man</em> 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 <em>it</em>, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evil <em>men</em>, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil <em>man</em>; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: <em>and</em> meddle not with them that are given to change:

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

23 These <em>things</em> also <em>belong</em> to the wise. <em>It is</em> not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou <em>art</em> righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

25 But to them that rebuke <em>him</em> shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26 <em>Every man</em> shall kiss <em>his</em> 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 <em>not</em> 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, <em>and</em> nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32 Then I saw, <em>and</em> considered <em>it</em> well: I looked upon <em>it, and</em> received instruction.

33 <em>Yet</em> a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34 So shall thy poverty come <em>as</em> one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.