Proverbs 24:1

1 Don't envy evil men^[a] or desire to be with them,

Proverbs 24:1 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 24:1

Be not thou envious against evil men
Or, "men of evil" {b}. Such who are addicted to evil, and given up to it, whose principles and practices are bad; such as are before described in the preceding chapter; gluttons and drunkards, men given to women and wine: envy not their present prosperity, or seeming pleasure they have in the gratification of their sensual appetites; since woe and sorrow, wounds and strife, now attend them, and poverty and want will follow them; as well as everlasting ruin and destruction will be their portion hereafter; (See Gill on Proverbs 23:17); and compare with this ( Proverbs 24:21 Proverbs 24:27 Proverbs 24:29 Proverbs 24:32 ) ; neither desire to be with them;
to be in their company; to have any conversation and fellowship with them, which is very infectious, dangerous, and pernicious; nor even to be in the same state, condition, and circumstances they are in; much less to do as they do, and imitate them in their sinful courses; as you would not choose to be with them in hell hereafter, do not desire to be with them here.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (her yvnab) "viros mali", Baynus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 24:1 In-Context

1 Don't envy evil men or desire to be with them,

2 for their hearts plan violence, and their words stir up trouble.

3 A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding;

4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

5 A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength;

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 23:17; 24:19; Ps 37:1; 73