BY WISDOM A HOUSE IS BUILT
Key verse: 3
NIV
Saying 20
24 Do not envy(A) the wicked,
do not desire their company;
2 for their hearts plot violence,(B)
and their lips talk about making trouble.(C)
Saying 21
3 By wisdom a house is built,(D)
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.(E)
Saying 22
5 The wise prevail through great power,
and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
6 Surely you need guidance to wage war,
and victory is won through many advisers.(F)
Saying 23
7 Wisdom is too high for fools;
in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.
Saying 24
8 Whoever plots evil
will be known as a schemer.
9 The schemes of folly are sin,
and people detest a mocker.
Saying 25
10 If you falter in a time of trouble,
how small is your strength!(G)
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.(H)
12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs(I) the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay(J) everyone according to what they have done?(K)
Cross references
- Proverbs 24:1 : Pr 3:31-32; 23:17-18
- Proverbs 24:2 : S Ps 2:1; Isa 32:6; 55:7-8; 59:7; 65:2; 66:18; Hos 4:1
- Proverbs 24:2 : Ps 10:7
- Proverbs 24:3 : S Pr 14:1
- Proverbs 24:4 : S Pr 8:21
- Proverbs 24:6 : S Pr 11:14; S 20:18; Lk 14:31
- Proverbs 24:10 : S Job 4:5
- Proverbs 24:11 : Ps 82:4
- Proverbs 24:12 : S 1Sa 2:3; S Ps 139:2
- Proverbs 24:12 : S Ps 54:5
- Proverbs 24:12 : Job 34:11; Ps 62:12; S Mt 16:27; Ro 2:6*
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
24 Be not (A)envious of evil men,
nor desire to be (B)with them,
2 for their hearts (C)devise violence,
and their lips (D)talk of trouble.
3 By (E)wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all (F)precious and pleasant riches.
5 (G)A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
6 for by (H)wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in (I)abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is (J)too high for a fool;
in (K)the gate he does not open his mouth.
8 Whoever (L)plans to do evil
will be called a schemer.
9 (M)The devising[a] of folly is sin,
and (N)the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.
10 If you (O)faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
11 (P)Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
(Q)does not he who (R)weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who (S)keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man (T)according to his work?
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:9 Or scheming
Cross references
- Proverbs 24:1 : ver. 19; See Ps. 37:1
- Proverbs 24:1 : See ch. 1:15
- Proverbs 24:2 : [Isa. 59:13]
- Proverbs 24:2 : Ps. 10:7
- Proverbs 24:3 : [ch. 14:1]
- Proverbs 24:4 : [ch. 23:23; Luke 16:11]
- Proverbs 24:5 : [ch. 21:22]
- Proverbs 24:6 : ch. 20:18
- Proverbs 24:6 : See ch. 11:14
- Proverbs 24:7 : [ch. 14:6]
- Proverbs 24:7 : See Job 5:4
- Proverbs 24:8 : Rom. 1:30
- Proverbs 24:9 : [ch. 21:27]
- Proverbs 24:9 : See Ps. 1:1
- Proverbs 24:10 : [Heb. 12:3]
- Proverbs 24:11 : Ps. 82:4; [Isa. 58:6, 7]
- Proverbs 24:12 : [Eccles. 5:8]
- Proverbs 24:12 : ch. 16:2; See 1 Sam. 16:7
- Proverbs 24:12 : [Ps. 91:11]
- Proverbs 24:12 : See Job 34:11
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
Saying 20 warns against envying the wicked or keeping company with them. Without realizing it, their bad influence corrupts us with their unbelieving words and dark desires. Who are we walking and talking with?
Saying 21 teaches us a valuable truth: by wisdom a house is built. There are so many things that we need. But truly we need wisdom to build the foundation of our lives, homes, families, churches, and communities. When we earnestly seek wisdom, God gives us knowledge to obtain very rare and beautiful things, such as: the Bible, prayer, worship, godly fellowship, faith, hope, love, unity, order, security, humility, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These things can’t be bought with money or borrowed from someone else. They only come through having a personal relationship with Christ and being filled with the Spirit.
Sayings 22-25 emphasize how wisdom impacts our lives with power, strength, victory (22), greatness (23), and the courage to act (25). Those who lack wisdom are noted by their lack of stature in the community (23), by their wicked schemes that lead to folly (24), and by their cowardice (25).
Prayer: Father, thank you for helping me and making my house secure when I seek your wisdom. Please help me to fill my life with spiritual treasures.
One Word: Establish my house with wisdom