Proverbs 24
Lutheran reading notes
In Proverbs chapter 24, the wisdom literature continues to explore wisdom for righteous living and reverence for God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Proverbs 24:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Proverbs 24:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
Proverbs 24:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
A wise man {is} strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. {is strong: Heb. is in strength} {increaseth...: Heb. strengtheneth might}
Proverbs 24:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors {there is} safety.
Proverbs 24:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Wisdom {is} too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Proverbs 24:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
Proverbs 24:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
The thought of foolishness {is} sin: and the scorner {is} an abomination to men.
Proverbs 24:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
{If} thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength {is} small. {small: Heb. narrow}
Proverbs 24:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
If thou forbear to deliver {them that are} drawn unto death, and {those that are} ready to be slain;
Proverbs 24:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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?
Proverbs 24:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
My son, eat thou honey, because {it is} good; and the honeycomb, {which is} sweet to thy taste: {to...: Heb. upon thy palate}
Proverbs 24:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Proverbs 24:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
Lay not wait, O wicked {man}, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
Proverbs 24:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
For a just {man} falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 24:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Proverbs 24:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
Lest the LORD see {it}, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. {it displeaseth...: Heb. it be evil in his eyes}
Proverbs 24:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
Fret not thyself because of evil {men}, neither be thou envious at the wicked; {Fret...: or, Keep not company with the wicked}
Proverbs 24:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
For there shall be no reward to the evil {man}; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. {candle: or, lamp}
Proverbs 24:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: {and} meddle not with them that are given to change: {them...: Heb. changers}
Proverbs 24:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
Proverbs 24:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
These {things} also {belong} to the wise. {It is} not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Proverbs 24:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou {art} righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
Proverbs 24:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
But to them that rebuke {him} shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. {a good...: Heb. a blessing of good}
Proverbs 24:25 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
{Every man} shall kiss {his} lips that giveth a right answer. {that...: Heb. that answereth right words}
Proverbs 24:26 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
Proverbs 24:27 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive {not} with thy lips.
Proverbs 24:28 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Proverbs 24:29 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Proverbs 24:30 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {considered...: Heb. set my heart}
Proverbs 24:32 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
33
{Yet} a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Proverbs 24:33 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
34
So shall thy poverty come {as} one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. {an...: Heb. a man of shield}