What does it mean to not be envious of evil men in this passage?

The passage warns against looking at evil people and wishing you could live like they do. Their lives may look easy or successful, but their hearts plan harm and their words stir up trouble. Their way brings hurt to others and, in the end, to themselves. Instead of wanting their lifestyle, we should see where it leads and turn away from it. The point is to choose the slower, steadier path of wisdom and obedience to God, which brings real strength and a lasting reward.

How is wisdom compared to building a house and eating honey?

Wisdom is shown in two pictures. First, it is like building a house: by wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is made firm, and by knowledge its rooms are filled with good things. This means wise choices and fear of the Lord make a life that is stable and rich in what truly matters. Second, wisdom is like honey: sweet and pleasant. Just as honey is good to the taste, wisdom is good for the soul. When you find wisdom, there is a reward and your hope will not be disappointed.

What does it mean that a wise man is strong and needs many counselors?

The passage says a wise man is strong and a man of knowledge increases strength. This is not only about physical power, but about the inner strength that comes from knowing God’s ways. Wisdom prepares a person to face trouble and not give up when life is hard. It also says that by wise guidance you will wage your war, and safety is found in many counselors. That means important decisions should not be made alone in pride, but with careful advice and help from others who are wise.

Why does it say fainting in the day of adversity shows small strength?

The line about fainting in the day of adversity means that the real test of a person’s strength comes when trouble hits. If someone gives up, turns away from right, or stops trusting God as soon as hardship comes, it shows their strength was weak. This pushes the reader to seek wisdom and grow in inner strength before trouble comes. Hard times will come, and wisdom learned beforehand helps a person stand, pray, and keep doing what is right instead of collapsing in fear or self-pity.

What is the duty to deliver those drawn to death and ready to be slain?

The passage speaks very plainly: if you hold back from helping those being led to death or about to be killed, you cannot excuse yourself by saying you did not know. God sees the heart, knows what we really knew, and will repay each person according to their works. This teaches that we have a real duty to help the innocent and those in danger when it is in our power. Staying silent or looking away when we could help is not neutral; it is sin before a God who searches every heart.

What does it mean that a just man falls seven times and rises again?

When it says a just man falls seven times and rises again, it is not teaching that the righteous live a perfect life. It shows that even those who fear God may meet many troubles and setbacks. Seven here points to many times. Yet each time, God helps them rise again, so they are not finally destroyed. In contrast, the wicked fall into trouble and stay there. This encourages believers who feel knocked down by hardship or their own weakness to keep turning back to God, trusting him to lift them up.

Why are we told not to rejoice when an enemy falls?

The passage warns against gloating when an enemy falls or stumbles. Even if someone has wronged you, you are not to let your heart be glad when they are judged or harmed. It says the Lord might see your joy, be displeased, and turn his anger away from them. The idea is that revenge and secret joy at another’s pain do not fit with a heart that fears God. Instead, God calls us to leave judgment in his hands and to keep our own hearts free from hatred and a taste for payback.

How does this passage speak about revenge and telling the truth?

Later in the passage, there is a warning against being a false witness against your neighbor without cause and against deceiving with your lips. It also says you should not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me.” This rejects the urge to pay someone back in the same way they hurt you. The lesson is that God, not we, will repay each person. Our part is to tell the truth, avoid harming others with lies or twisted stories, and refuse the pull of revenge, even when we have been wronged.

What lesson is taught by the field and vineyard of the slothful man?

The teacher describes walking by the field and vineyard of a lazy man. It was overgrown with thorns and nettles, and the stone wall was broken down. Looking at it, he “received instruction.” The neglected land became a living picture of what laziness does. Then comes the warning: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come like a traveler and want like an armed man. It is not one nap that ruins a life, but a settled habit of putting off work until loss and need suddenly arrive.

Prov.24.1

Proverbs 24:1

KJV

Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

Do Not Envy

Saying 20

1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

Saying 21

3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Saying 22

5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Saying 23

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

Saying 24

8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

Saying 25

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

12 If 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?

Saying 26

13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

14 So 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.

Saying 27

15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Saying 28

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

Saying 29

19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

Saying 30

21 My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.