Single lesson
Proverbs 24: Do Not Envy
Proverbs 24:1–22; Proverbs 24:23–34
Proverbs 24 gathers wise sayings that warn against copying wicked people and show a better path. In this lesson, children compare different examples and commands, then trace the main wisdom teaching through the whole passage.
Before you teach
These verses come as a collection of sayings about envy, wisdom, justice, truthful speech, careful work and laziness. The passage moves from direct warnings and encouragements in Proverbs 24:1–22 to further sayings of the wise in Proverbs 24:23–34, including a short observed example from a neglected field.
Students will be able to name two warnings and two positive actions from Proverbs 24 and explain that wisdom chooses what is right instead of envying, excusing or copying wrong.
Welcome: Spot the two paths
4 minBegin by introducing the big contrast in this chapter. One path envies evil people or copies them. The other path values wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Ask children to listen for both warnings and good choices as the passage is read. Write two headings, “Wrong way” and “Wise way”, for later answers from the text.
Proverbs 24:1, Proverbs 24:2, Proverbs 24:3, Proverbs 24:4
Read and explain: Wisdom builds, evil plots
8 minRead Proverbs 24:1–22 in short parts. Explain that envy means wanting the place or ways of evil people. Contrast their plotting in verse 2 with the house built by wisdom, understanding and knowledge in verses 3 and 4. Point out that wisdom brings strength and guidance, while folly and scheming are called sin.
Proverbs 24:1, Proverbs 24:2, Proverbs 24:3, Proverbs 24:4, Proverbs 24:5, Proverbs 24:6, Proverbs 24:8, Proverbs 24:9
Discuss: Courage, mercy and humble hearts
6 minFocus on several wise responses in the middle of the chapter. Trouble tests strength. The passage also tells people to rescue those being led away to death and says God knows the heart. Then it warns against rejoicing when an enemy falls and tells the listener to fear Yahweh and not join the rebellious.
Proverbs 24:10, Proverbs 24:11, Proverbs 24:12, Proverbs 24:17, Proverbs 24:18, Proverbs 24:21, Proverbs 24:22
Make and respond: Reminder card from the wise sayings
8 minRead Proverbs 24:23–34 and help children find one key verse for a reminder card. Show how these sayings give examples of fairness in judgment, honest answers, planning work in the right order, truthful speech and refusing revenge. Finish with the picture of the neglected field, which teaches by observation what laziness produces.
Proverbs 24:23, Proverbs 24:25, Proverbs 24:26, Proverbs 24:27, Proverbs 24:28, Proverbs 24:29, Proverbs 24:30, Proverbs 24:31, Proverbs 24:32, Proverbs 24:33, Proverbs 24:34
Closing: Say the central wisdom teaching
4 minInvite each child to share one warning and one wise action from the chapter. Summarise that the passage does more than say “do not envy”. It also teaches justice, honesty, restraint, planning and diligent work. Close by repeating that wisdom leads away from copying evil and towards choices that are right.
Proverbs 24:19, Proverbs 24:20, Proverbs 24:23, Proverbs 24:26, Proverbs 24:27, Proverbs 24:34
Questions to explore
Why does the passage say not to envy evil men or desire to be with them?
Look at what their hearts and lips are busy doing, and compare that with what wisdom builds.
Proverbs 24:1, Proverbs 24:2, Proverbs 24:3, Proverbs 24:4
What does Proverbs 24 show is the right response when an enemy falls?
Use the command in verse 17 and the reason given in verse 18.
Proverbs 24:17, Proverbs 24:18
What lesson does the broken field teach at the end of the chapter?
Notice what was seen in the field and the instruction drawn from a little sleep and slumber.
Proverbs 24:30, Proverbs 24:31, Proverbs 24:32, Proverbs 24:33, Proverbs 24:34
Make, think or respond
Wisdom Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- card or paper
- pencils or markers
- Bible text
- scissors
Try it together
- Read Proverbs 24:1–34 and let each child choose one verse that gives a warning or wise action.
- Write the verse reference on one side of a small card and copy a short key phrase from the verse.
- On the other side, draw a simple picture that matches the teaching, such as a house, lips, a field or a lamp.
- Share the card with the group and explain how the chosen verse points away from evil and towards wisdom.
This activity helps children hold onto one clear saying from Proverbs 24 and connect its words with the chapter’s repeated call to choose wisdom over envy, falsehood, revenge or laziness.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-select three short options such as Proverbs 24:1, Proverbs 24:17 or Proverbs 24:27 and let them choose one to copy and illustrate.
- For older or confident readers, ask them to pair two verses from different parts of the chapter and explain how they support the same wisdom theme.
An optional closing prayer
Proposed words: Lord, please help us turn away from envy and wrong ways. Teach us to love wisdom, speak honestly, act fairly and do the work that is ours to do.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Proverbs 24
1 Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;
2 for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.
3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5 A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,
6 for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
12 If 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?
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
14 so 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.
15 Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;
16 for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17 Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
18 lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;
20 for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21 My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,
22 for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?
23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27 Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28 Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
29 Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
30 I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.
31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34 so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.