Read & explore together
Do Not Envy
Proverbs 24:1-22 teaches how to respond to wickedness, trouble, wisdom, enemies and authority. The passage speaks in short instructions and comparisons, showing that envy and rebellion are not the path of wisdom.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This part of Proverbs is written as wisdom and direct address, including “My son” and a series of commands, warnings and comparisons. It moves from refusing envy, to valuing wisdom, to acting rightly in danger, and ends by urging fear of Yahweh and the king.
Proverbs 24:1–22Main takeaway
This passage teaches that wisdom chooses what is right instead of envying wicked people, and it keeps acting with reverence, restraint and courage.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Do not admire wicked peopleThe passage begins by warning against envy and companionship with evil men. The reason is not their apparent success, but what fills them: hearts that plot violence and lips that speak mischief.
Explanation
The passage begins by warning against envy and companionship with evil men. The reason is not their apparent success, but what fills them: hearts that plot violence and lips that speak mischief. Wisdom starts by seeing beneath appearances and refusing to desire their company or ways.
02Wisdom builds, strengthens and guidesIn contrast to evil plotting, wisdom builds a house, establishes it and fills its rooms with precious treasure.
Explanation
In contrast to evil plotting, wisdom builds a house, establishes it and fills its rooms with precious treasure. Wisdom, understanding and knowledge are shown as deeply practical. Strength is not only force. The passage says wise guidance and many advisers help bring victory, while a fool cannot speak well at the gate.
03Folly shows itself in schemes and inactionA person who plots evil is called a schemer, and the plans of folly are called sin. The passage also tests courage: faltering in trouble shows small strength.
Explanation
A person who plots evil is called a schemer, and the plans of folly are called sin. The passage also tests courage: faltering in trouble shows small strength. Then it gives a strong command to rescue people being led to death, warning that claiming ignorance does not hide anything from the one who weighs hearts.
04Wisdom is sweet, steady and restrainedHoney is used as a comparison for wisdom. As honey is sweet, wisdom is good for the soul and connected with hope and reward.
Explanation
Honey is used as a comparison for wisdom. As honey is sweet, wisdom is good for the soul and connected with hope and reward. The passage then adds two restraints: do not attack the righteous, because the righteous rise again, and do not rejoice when an enemy falls, because that displeases Yahweh.
05Do not fret over evil, fear YahwehThe closing lines return to the earlier warning about envying evildoers. Their future is not secure, because the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Explanation
The closing lines return to the earlier warning about envying evildoers. Their future is not secure, because the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. Instead, the son is told to fear Yahweh and the king, and not join rebellious people whose calamity and destruction may come suddenly.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons does the passage give for not envying evil men?
Look for what their hearts and lips do, and for what the passage says about the future of the wicked.
02How does this passage describe wisdom as something useful, not merely clever?
Notice what wisdom, understanding and knowledge do for a house, for strength and for guidance.
03Why is rejoicing at an enemy’s fall warned against?
The passage does not only discuss the enemy. It points to what Yahweh sees and what displeases him.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 24:1–22
1Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;
2for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.
3Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
4by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,
6for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.
7Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
8One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
9The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
10If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
11Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
12If 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?
13My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
14so 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.
15Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;
16for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
18lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;
20for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,
22for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?