Proverbs 24

24:1-2 Saying 19: See 1:8-19.

24:3-4 Saying 20: See 14:11.

24:5-6 Saying 21: See 21:22.

24:7 Saying 22: Rulers should be wise (see 8:5-6).

24:8-9 Saying 23: Fools are alienated from the community because of their evil actions.

24:10 Saying 24: A wise person has self-control and strength under pressure (e.g., Dan 1:8-16; 3:1-18).

24:11-12 Saying 25: The wise do what they can to prevent injustice and suffering (e.g., Job 29:12-17).

24:13-14 Saying 26: Both honey and wisdom are sweet. Wisdom improves the soul, enhancing opportunities for the future.

24:15-16 Saying 27: Those who are godly will not allow a setback to keep them down. • Seven times is symbolic for “many times.”

24:17-18 Saying 28: This saying leads to Jesus’ call to love our enemies (Matt 5:43-48).

24:19-20 Saying 29: Don’t envy the apparent prosperity of the wicked (see 24:1-2), because their success is fleeting. • snuffed out: Cp. 13:9; 20:20.

24:21-22 Saying 30: The king is associated with the Lord, reflecting his power and sovereignty on the earth (see 1 Sam 12; Ps 2).

24:23-34 This addendum to the thirty sayings of the wise (22:17–24:22) includes five further sayings.24:23-25 Saying 1: Truthfulness in rendering judgment is a hallmark of wisdom (see 6:19; 12:17; 19:28; 24:28-29; 25:18).

24:26 Saying 2: A true friend does not cover up problems but honestly points out areas for improvement. A wise person welcomes the correction of a friend.

24:27 Saying 3: A wise person establishes a source of income before spending money on himself.

24:28-29 Saying 4: The truth should not be bent, not even for revenge (see 6:19; 12:17; 14:25; 19:28; 24:23-24; 25:18).

24:30-34 Saying 5: Laziness and love for sleep lead to poverty (see 10:4-5, 26; 12:11; 13:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13).

24:33-34 This proverb repeats 6:10-11.