Proverbs

CHAPTER 24

nor desire to be with them;^a

and their lips speak of foul play.

by understanding it is established;

with every precious and pleasing possession.

and the learned, than the mighty,^b

and victory depends on many counselors.^c

in the assembly they do not open their mouth;

people brand them troublemakers.

the scoffer is an abomination to the community.

did your strength fall short?

those tottering, those near death,

Surely, the Searcher of hearts knows

and will repay all according to their deeds.^e

if pure honey is sweet to your taste,

If you find it, you will have a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.^f

do not ravage their dwelling places;

but the wicked stumble from only one mishap.

and when they stumble, do not let your heart exult,

and withdraw his wrath from your enemies.

do not envy the wicked;

the lamp of the wicked will be put out.^g

have nothing to do with those who hate them;

and calamity from them both, who knows when?

V. FURTHER SAYINGS OF THE WISE^*

To show partiality in judgment is not good.^h

will be cursed by nations, scorned by peoples;

and on them will come the blessing of prosperity.

a kiss on the lips.^*

and arrange your work in the field;

afterward you can build your house.^*

and so deceive with your lips.

I will repay them according to their deeds.”^*

by the vineyard of one with no sense;

its surface was covered with nettles,

and its stone wall broken down.

I saw and learned a lesson:

a little folding of the arms to rest—

and want like a brigand.

* [24:1–22] A new section (24:1–14)—on the fates of the wicked and foolish—begins with a warning not to take the foolish as role models. The same admonition is repeated in 23:17–18 and 24:19–20. In 24:1, the verb means “to be jealous, zealous; to emulate.” The motive stated in the other passages—the wicked have no future—is indirectly stated here.

* [24:7–9] The verses are unclear; most scholars take them as two or even three single sayings, but, taken singly, the verses are banal. They are best taken as a single statement. Just as vv. 3–6 described the advantages of wisdom, so vv. 7–9 describe the disadvantages of its opposite, folly: it alienates one from the community (v. 7), for fools become notorious (v. 8), dooming their plans and ostracizing themselves.

* [24:10–12] Excuses for not coming to the aid of one’s neighbor in serious trouble do not suffice before God, who sees through self-serving excuses.

* [24:11] Rescue…death: perhaps refers to the legal rescue of those unjustly condemned to death.

* [24:13–14] God’s word is sometimes said to be sweeter than honey, e.g., Ps 119:101–103. Cf. also Ps 19:11; Prv 16:24; Ez 3:3; Sir 24:19–22.

* [24:15–16] The just will overcome every misfortune that oppresses them. Seven times is an indefinite number.

* [24:17–18] The admonition is linked to the previous by the words “fall” and “stumble.” Premature public celebration of the downfall of enemies equivalently preempts the retribution that belongs to God.

* [24:23–34] A little collection between the thirty sayings of 22:17–24:22 and the Hezekiah collection in chaps. 25–29. Its title (v. 23) suggests that editors took it as an appendix. At this point, the Greek edition of Proverbs begins to arrange the later sections of the book in a different order than the Hebrew edition.

An editor has arranged originally separate sayings into two parallel groups.

	I.	II.
Conduct in court:	Judges (vv. 24–25)	Witnesses (v. 28)
Speaking, thinking:	Good speech (v. 26)	Bad speech (v. 29)
Wisdom in work:	Positive (v. 27)	Negative (vv. 30–34)

* [24:26] The kiss is a gesture of respect and affection. The greatest sign of affection and respect for another is to tell that person the truth.

* [24:27] House: can refer to both the building and the family (cf. 2 Sm 7). In the context established by the placement noted above under 24:23, the saying means that neglect of one’s field is a sign that one is not building the house properly. In an agricultural society especially, the concept of household includes fields for animals and crops. On the metaphorical level, one must lay a careful preparation before embarking on a great project. This verse is sometimes interpreted as advocating careful and practical preparation for marriage.

* [24:29] Retribution is a long and complex process that belongs to the Lord, not to individuals. Cf. vv. 12d, 17–18.

* [24:30–34] Neglect of one’s fields through laziness ruins all plans to build a house (v. 27). This vignette is a teaching story, like those in 7:1–27; Ps 37:35–36.

a. [24:1] Prv 3:31; 23:17; Ps 37:1.

b. [24:5] Prv 21:22.

c. [24:6] Prv 20:18.

d. [24:7] Sir 6:21.

e. [24:12] Ps 62:13; Sir 16:12; Mt 16:27; Rom 2:6.

f. [24:14] Prv 23:18.

g. [24:20] Prv 13:9.

h. [24:23] Prv 18:5; 28:21; Lv 19:15; Dt 1:17; 16:19.

i. [24:28] Prv 19:5; 25:18.

j. [24:29] Prv 20:22.

k. [24:33] Prv 6:10–11.

VI. SECOND SOLOMONIC COLLECTION, COLLECTED UNDER KING HEZEKIAH^*