An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 614 words)
20:024:001 e not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be
with them.
20:024:002 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of
mischief.
20:024:003 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is
established:
20:024:004 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all
precious and pleasant riches.
20:024:005 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth
strength.
20:024:006 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude
of counsellors there is safety.
20:024:007 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the
gate.
20:024:008 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous
person.
20:024:009 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an
abomination to men.
20:024:010 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
20:024:011 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and
those that are ready to be slain;
20:024:012 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?
20:024:013 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb,
which is sweet to thy taste:
20:024:014 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.
20:024:015 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the
righteous; spoil not his resting place:
20:024:016 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but
the wicked shall fall into mischief.
20:024:017 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart
be glad when he stumbleth:
20:024:018 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away
his wrath from him.
20:024:019 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious
at the wicked:
20:024:020 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of
the wicked shall be put out.
20:024:021 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with
them that are given to change:
20:024:022 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the
ruin of them both?
20:024:023 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have
respect of persons in judgment.
20:024:024 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall
the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
20:024:025 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good
blessing shall come upon them.
20:024:026 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
20:024:027 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the
field; and afterwards build thine house.
20:024:028 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and
deceive not with thy lips.
20:024:029 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will
render to the man according to his work.
20:024:030 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of
the man void of understanding;
20:024:031 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had
covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was
broken down.
20:024:032 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and
received instruction.
20:024:033 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the
hands to sleep:
20:024:034 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want
as an armed man.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
Sustainable success comes from building real knowledge and skills rather than chasing shortcuts or copying others' quick wins.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize the difference between advancement built on real capacity versus advancement built on appearances or politics.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone gets ahead through shortcuts versus genuine skill—observe what happens to each approach over the following months.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches."
Context: Teaching about how to build real security in life
This shows that lasting success comes in layers - wisdom provides the foundation, understanding creates the structure, and knowledge fills your life with valuable things. It's not about quick wins but building something that lasts.
In Today's Words:
Smart planning builds your foundation, good judgment keeps it stable, and learning fills your life with good things.
"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety."
Context: Explaining why you need advice before making big decisions
Even in matters of conflict or major life battles, you're safer when you get multiple perspectives. Going it alone, even when you're smart, is dangerous.
In Today's Words:
Get advice before making big moves - more viewpoints mean better decisions and fewer disasters.
"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."
Context: Testing what real strength looks like
This isn't about never struggling - it's about what happens when things get hard. Your true character shows up when you're under pressure, not when life is easy.
In Today's Words:
If you fall apart when things get tough, you weren't as strong as you thought.
"A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."
Context: Contrasting how good and bad people handle setbacks
Good people aren't perfect - they fail repeatedly. But they keep getting back up. Bad people, meanwhile, get trapped by their own schemes and stay down.
In Today's Words:
Good people fail and bounce back; bad people fail and stay stuck in their own mess.
Thematic Threads
Resilience
In This Chapter
Solomon emphasizes that good people fall seven times but rise again, distinguishing resilience from moral perfection
Development
Introduced here as a core characteristic of wisdom
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you bounce back from setbacks while others who seemed more successful stay down after their first real failure.
Knowledge
In This Chapter
Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are presented as the three-part foundation for building a secure life
Development
Continues the theme of learning and skill-building from earlier chapters
In Your Life:
You might see this when you realize that your years of experience give you insights that can't be googled or shortcuts.
Envy
In This Chapter
Warning against envying evildoers or taking pleasure in others' failures, even enemies
Development
Builds on earlier warnings about comparing yourself to others
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself feeling satisfied when someone who wronged you faces consequences, but realize this damages your own character.
Consequences
In This Chapter
The lazy person's field overrun with weeds shows how small neglects compound into major problems
Development
Reinforces the cause-and-effect thinking present throughout Proverbs
In Your Life:
You might notice this in your own life where small habits—good or bad—have created your current situation over time.
Counsel
In This Chapter
Emphasis on seeking advice from multiple sources before making important decisions
Development
Continues the theme of learning from others rather than trying to figure everything out alone
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when facing a major decision and realizing you need input from people with different perspectives and experiences.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Solomon warns against envying people who succeed through wrong methods. What examples of this do you see in your daily life - at work, on social media, or in your community?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Solomon say that wise people seek advice from multiple sources before making big decisions? What happens when someone tries to figure everything out alone?
analysis • medium - 3
Solomon uses the metaphor of building a house with wisdom as foundation, understanding as structure, and knowledge as contents. Where in your life are you building with shortcuts versus building with solid foundations?
application • medium - 4
The chapter says 'A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.' Think about someone you respect who has faced setbacks. How did their response to failure shape who they became?
application • deep - 5
Solomon ends by describing a lazy person's property overrun with weeds and crumbling walls. What does this teach us about how small neglects compound into major problems in relationships, health, or finances?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Capacity Building vs. Shortcut Temptations
Draw two columns on paper. In the left column, list areas where you're currently building real capacity (learning skills, developing relationships, gaining knowledge). In the right column, list areas where you're tempted to take shortcuts or where you've been envying others' quick wins. For each shortcut temptation, write one small action you could take to start building genuine capacity instead.
Consider:
- •Consider both professional and personal areas of your life
- •Think about what 'building your house with wisdom' would look like in your specific situation
- •Remember that capacity building often looks boring compared to shortcuts, but creates lasting value
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you chose the harder path of building real skills or knowledge instead of taking a shortcut. How did that decision pay off over time, even if it seemed slower at first?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 25: Timing, Boundaries, and Self-Control
The next section introduces more proverbs from Solomon, collected and preserved by King Hezekiah's scribes. These additional sayings will explore the delicate art of timing in relationships and the hidden dynamics of power.
