Proverbs 24:17-29

¹⁷ Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, ¹⁸ lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

¹⁹ Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, ²⁰ for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

²¹ My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, ²² for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

²³ These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good. ²⁴ Whoever says to the wicked, "You are in the right," will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, ²⁵ but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. ²⁶ Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.

²⁷ Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

²⁸ Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. ²⁹ Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done."

< Proverbs 23

Proverbs 24

Proverbs 25 >

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 24:17-29

Commentary on Proverbs 24:17-18

(Read Proverbs 24:17-18)

The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is forbidden.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:19-20

(Read Proverbs 24:19-20)

Envy not the wicked their prosperity; be sure there is no true happiness in it.

Commentary on Proverbs 24:21-22

(Read Proverbs 24:21-22)

The godly in the land, will be quiet in the land. There may be cause to change for the better, but have nothing to do with them that are given change.