Proverbs 24:1-7

Proverbs 24:1-7
English Standard Version
24 Be not envious of evil men,
    nor desire to be with them,
2 for their hearts devise violence,
    and their lips talk of trouble.

​3 By wisdom a house is built,
    and by understanding it is established;
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
    with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is full of strength,
    and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
    and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool;
    in the gate he does not open his mouth.

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Solomon opens this proverb with words of wisdom to not be envious of evil men (or women) nor to desire to be companions with them (especially to not desire to join them in the evil that they are doing).  The wicked have hearts that devise violence because they are in tune with the one who loves to steal, kill, and destroy (the devil).  Their lips spread lies and malicious gossip and are used to slander, backstab, blaspheme, curse, and cause all kinds of division, chaos and disorder.  Stay away from them so that you don't get caught up in their wickedness, but also so that you don't get caught up in the LORD's judgment on them.

If we imagine we are building something for the future like a house, we would want to have the right foundation and use the right kind of materials so that the house would last.  In this analogy or metaphor, we would want to make sure that we are building on the foundation of the LORD's Wisdom (that is Christ) and that the house is built with and filled with knowledge which is better than filling it with gold, silver and precious stones or any other valuable and ornate things.

If wisdom is like strength, adding knowledge to wisdom is like a strong man becoming stronger.  It is strength upon strength.  However, knowledge without wisdom leads to highly intelligent fools.  It takes wisdom to plan for the future and for all contingencies and to know what needs to be done.  It takes knowledge to know how to do what needs to be done.  Since one man cannot be an expert in all things, it is necessary for wise men to be surrounded by other wise men who will give wise counsel to each other.  "In the abundance of [wise] counselors there is victory."  The fool will never attain wisdom on their own.  It is out of their grasp.  He will not be invited to do business or share words of wisdom at the city gate with the city elders like the wise man will.  Everyone who makes decisions there will want the wise man to be there to advise them on what they should do, but no one wants to listen to a fool.