24:5The athlete who has wisdom—who assesses the situation and plans strategies—has an advantage over a physically stronger but unwise opponent. We exercise regularly and eat well to build our strength, but do we take equal pains to develop wisdom and knowledge? Because wisdom is a vital part of strength, it pays to attain it.
Life Application Study BibleProverbsChapter 24
Proverbs 24
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1045, 1046, 1047
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
24Proverbs 24
1or desire their company.
2For their hearts plot violence,and their words always stir up trouble.
3A house is built by wisdomand becomes strong through good sense.
4Through knowledge its rooms are filledwith all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
5The wise are mightier than the strong,*and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
6So don’t go to war without wise guidance;victory depends on having many advisers.
7Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.
8A person who plans evilwill get a reputation as a troublemaker.
9The schemes of a fool are sinful;everyone detests a mocker.
10If you fail under pressure,your strength is too small.
11Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. 12Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know,” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
13My child,* eat honey, for it is good,and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
14In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.If you find it, you will have a bright future,and your hopes will not be cut short.
15Don't wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don't raid the house where the godly live. 16The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
17Don't rejoice when your enemies fall;don’t be happy when they stumble.
18For the LORD will be displeased with youand will turn his anger away from them.
19Don't fret because of evildoers;don’t envy the wicked.
20For evil people have no future;the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21My child, fear the LORD and the king.Don’t associate with rebels,22 for disaster will hit them suddenly.Who knows what punishment will comefrom the LORD and the king?
More Sayings of the Wise
2323Here are some further sayings of the wise:It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
24A judge who says to the wicked, “ You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. 25But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be showered on them.
26An honest answeris like a kiss of friendship.
27Do your planning and prepare your fieldsbefore building your house.
28Don't testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. 29And don't say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! Tl get even with them!”
30T walked by the field of a lazy person,the vineyard of one with no common sense.
31I saw that it was overgrown with nettles.It was covered with weeds,and its walls were broken down.
32Then, as I looked and thought about it,Ilearned this lesson:
33A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,a little folding of the hands to rest—34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
C. WISDOM FOR THE LEADERS (25:1—31:31)
These proverbs were collected by Hezekiah’s advisers. The first section was written by Solomon, and the next two sections were written by others. While we all can learn from these proverbs, many were originally directed toward the king or those who dealt with the king. These are particularly helpful for those who are leaders or aspire to become leaders. The book ends with a description of a truly good wife, who is an example of godly wisdom.
Textual footnotes
- 24:5 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads A wise man is strength.
- 24:13 Hebrew My.
Life Application Notes 8 notes
24:6In any major decision we make concerning college, Marriage, career, children, etc., it is not a sign of weakness to ask for advice. Instead, it is foolish not to ask for it. Find good advisers before making any big decision. They can help you expand your alternatives and evaluate your choices.
24:8Planning to do evil can be as wrong as doing it because what you think determines what you will do. Left unchecked, wrong desires will lead us to sin. God wants pure hearts, free from sin, and planning evil brings sinful thoughts into our mind. Should you say, “Then i might as well go ahead and do it because I've already planned it”? No. You have sinned in your attitude, but you have not yet harmed other people. Stop in your tracks and ask God to forgive you and put you on a different path.
24:10Times of trouble can be useful. They can show you who you really are—what kind of character you have developed. In addition, they can help you grow stronger. When Jeremiah questioned God because of the trouble he faced, God asked how he ever expected to face big challenges if the little ones tired him out (Jeremiah 12:5). Don’t complain about your problems. The trouble you face today is training you to be strong for the more difficult situations you will face in the future.
24:17,18David, Solomon’s father, refused to gloat over the death of his lifelong enemy, Saul (see 2 Samuel 1). On the other hand, the nation of Edom rejoiced over Israel’s defeat and was punished by God for their attitude (Obadiah 1:12). To gloat over others’ misfortune is to make yourself the avenger and to put yourself in the place of God, who alone is the real Judge of all the earth (see Deuteronomy 32:35).
24:26People often think that they should bend the truth to avoid hurting a frienc. But one who gives an honest, straightforward answer is a true friend. To be entrusted with the truth even at the risk of offense, says this proverb, represents a gesture of high honor.
24:27We should carry out our work in its proper order. If a farmer builds his house in the spring, he will miss the planting season and go a year without food. If a businessman invests his money in a house while his business is struggling to grow, he may lose both. It is possible to work hard and still lose everything if the timing is wrong or the resources to carry it out are not in place.
24:29Here is a reverse version of the Golden Rule (see Luke 6:31). Revenge is the way the world operates, but it is not God's way.