Bible Strands
Proverbs 24:19
Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The wisdom writer addresses the reader within a direct sequence of commands about emotional restraint, framed by verse 18's warning of divine disapproval and verse 20's declaration of the wicked's extinguished future.
The words — The text commands אַל־ תִּתְחַר ('al-tit.har) meaning "do not fret yourself" toward evildoers, and אַל־ תִּקְנָא ('al-ti.kna) meaning "do not be jealous" toward the wicked.
The thread — This prohibition against envying the wicked appears in Psalms 37:1 and echoes the warning in Psalms 73:3 about envying the arrogant when observing their prosperity.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to reject comparative resentment toward the wicked, recognizing that their current success carries no future and remains under divine scrutiny.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
Cross-references
- Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
- Psalms 37:1 Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong.
- Psalms 73:3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- Psalms 119:115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.
- Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
- Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.
- Proverbs 24:1 Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;
- Psalms 26:4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites.
- 2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
- Numbers 16:26 And he warned the congregation, “Move away now from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins.”