Proverbs 24

Highlighted words differ from the KJV. Most differences are matters of wording, style or the age of the English, not of meaning; a few reflect different manuscripts.

KJV WEB

1
KJVBe not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
WEBDon’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;
2
KJVFor their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
WEBfor their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.
3
KJVThrough wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
WEBThrough wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
4
KJVAnd by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
WEBby knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5
KJVA wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
WEBA wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,
6
KJVFor by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
WEBfor by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.
7
KJVWisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
WEBWisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
8
KJVHe that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
WEBOne who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
9
KJVThe thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
WEBThe schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
10
KJVIf thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
WEBIf you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
11
KJVIf thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
WEBRescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
12
KJVIf 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?
WEBIf you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not give to every man according to his work?
13
KJVMy son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
WEBMy son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
14
KJVSo 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.
WEBso you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off.
15
KJVLay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
WEBDon’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;
16
KJVFor a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
WEBfor a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17
KJVRejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
WEBDon’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
18
KJVLest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
WEBlest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19
KJVFret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
WEBDon’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;
20
KJVFor there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
WEBfor there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21
KJVMy son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
WEBMy son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,
22
KJVFor their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
WEBfor their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?
23
KJVThese things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
WEBThese also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24
KJVHe that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
WEBHe who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25
KJVBut to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
WEBbut it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
26
KJVEvery man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
WEBAn honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27
KJVPrepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
WEBPrepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28
KJVBe not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
WEBDon’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
29
KJVSay not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
WEBDon’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
30
KJVI went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
WEBI went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.
31
KJVAnd, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
WEBBehold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
32
KJVThen I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
WEBThen I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
33
KJVYet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
WEBa little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34
KJVSo shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
WEBso your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.

King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom, where Crown letters patent apply.
World English Bible (WEB), public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.