Proverbs 24:19-29

19 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked;

20 For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those given to change;

22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring?

23 These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.

24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him.

25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.

26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

27 Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, For would you deceive with your lips?

29 Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

Proverbs 24:19-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 12

This chapter relates Rehoboam's going to Shechem to be made king, and Jeroboam's return from Egypt, 1Ki 12:1,2, the people's request to Rehoboam to be eased of their taxes, as the condition of making him king, 1Ki 12:3,4, his answer to them, after three days, having had the advice both of the old and young men, which latter he followed, and gave in a rough answer, 1Ki 12:5-15, upon which ten tribes revolted from him, and two abode by him, 1Ki 12:16-20, wherefore he meditated a war against the ten tribes, but was forbid by the Lord to engage in it, 1Ki 12:21-24 and Jeroboam, in order to establish his kingdom, and preserve the people from a revolt to the house of David, because of the temple worship at Jerusalem, devised a scheme of idolatrous worship in his own territories, 1Ki 12:25-33.

Footnotes

• [a]. Septuagint and Vulgate read Do not deceive.