Proverbs 24:1

1 Do not envy men of evil, and do not 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 Do not envy men of evil, and do not desire to be with them.

2 For their minds will devise violence, and their lips will speak mischief.

3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.

4 And by knowledge, rooms are filled [with] all riches, precious and pleasant.

5 The warrior of wisdom [is] in strength, and a man of knowledge is strong [in] power.