15 Don't interfere with good people's lives; don't try to get the best of them. 16 No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don't stay down long; Soon they're up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces.
17 Don't laugh when your enemy falls; don't crow over his collapse. 18 God might see, and become very provoked, and then take pity on his plight.
19 Don't bother your head with braggarts or wish you could succeed like the wicked. 20 Those people have no future at all; they're headed down a dead-end street.
21 Fear God, dear child - respect your leaders; don't be defiant or mutinous. 22 Without warning your life can turn upside-down, and who knows how or when it might happen?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 24:15-22
Commentary on Proverbs 24:15-16
(Read Proverbs 24:15-16)
The sincere soul falls as a traveller may do, by stumbling at some stone in his path; but gets up, and goes on his way with more care and speed. This is rather to be understood of falls into affliction, than falls into actual sin.
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.