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;
and the lamp of the wicked shall 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;
the destruction from them both—who knows?
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 shall curse him, and nations shall 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 render to the man according to his work.”
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 24:23-26
(Read Proverbs 24:23-26)
The wisdom God giveth, renders a man fit for his station. Every one who finds the benefit of the right answer, will be attached to him that gave it.
Commentary on Proverbs 24:27
(Read Proverbs 24:27)
We must prefer necessaries before conveniences, and not go in debt.
Commentary on Proverbs 24:28-29
(Read Proverbs 24:28-29)
There are three defaults in a witness pointed out.