Audio Bible

Context

Do not Envy
…18or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him. 19Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. 20For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.…

Cross References

Psalm 37:1-2
Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. / For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.Psalm 37:7-9
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. / Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm. / For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.Psalm 73:3
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.Psalm 37:35-36
I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, / yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found.Psalm 49:16-17
Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.Job 21:7-13
Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? / Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. / Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. ...Jeremiah 12:1-2
Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.Habakkuk 1:13
Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?Malachi 3:15
So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil. / Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. / Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.Psalm 92:7
that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.Psalm 94:3-4
How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked exult? / They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.Psalm 10:5-6
He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes. / He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”Matthew 5:44-45
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, / that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.Romans 12:19-21
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Proverbs 13:20
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Numbers 16:26
And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

neither

Proverbs 24:1
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

Proverbs 23:17
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

Psalm 37:1
A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

Jump to Previous

Jump to Next

Proverbs 24

Do not fret over evildoers
This phrase advises against being anxious or worried about those who commit evil acts. In biblical context, the term "evildoers" refers to individuals who act contrary to God's commandments and moral laws. The Psalms, particularly Psalm 37:1, echo this sentiment, encouraging believers to trust in the Lord rather than be consumed by the actions of the wicked. Historically, Israel faced numerous adversaries, both internal and external, who could be classified as evildoers. The advice here is to maintain faith and composure, trusting that God will ultimately judge and deal with such individuals. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of divine justice and the assurance that God is sovereign over all circumstances.

and do not be envious of the wicked
Envy towards the wicked is discouraged because it reflects a misunderstanding of true prosperity and success. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, prosperity was often seen as a sign of God's favor. However, the wisdom literature, including Proverbs, clarifies that material wealth or success achieved through wickedness is fleeting and ultimately leads to destruction. Psalm 73 provides a similar reflection, where the psalmist initially envies the prosperity of the wicked but later realizes their end is ruinous. This phrase encourages believers to focus on eternal values and the righteousness that comes from a relationship with God, rather than temporary, worldly gains. It also points to the ultimate justice of God, who will reward the righteous and punish the wicked in His perfect timing.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Evildoers
Individuals who engage in actions contrary to God's commandments and moral law. In the context of Proverbs, these are often those who prosper through unjust means.

2. The Wicked
Those who live in opposition to God's righteousness. The term often refers to people who reject God's ways and pursue their own sinful desires.

3. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. His writings often provide practical guidance for living a life pleasing to God.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written. Understanding the societal norms and values of this time can provide insight into the text.

5. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes books that focus on practical living and understanding the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom.

Teaching Points

Trust in God's Justice
Understand that God is just and will ultimately deal with evildoers in His time. Our role is to trust in His sovereignty and not be consumed by the apparent success of the wicked.

Guard Against Envy
Envy can lead to bitterness and distract us from our walk with God. Focus on cultivating gratitude for what God has provided and the blessings of a righteous life.

Focus on Righteous Living
Instead of comparing ourselves to those who prosper through wickedness, strive to live a life that honors God, knowing that eternal rewards far outweigh temporary gains.

Seek Wisdom and Discernment
Pray for wisdom to discern the true value of righteousness over temporary success. Engage with Scripture to align your heart with God's perspective.

Encourage One Another
In a community of believers, support each other in maintaining faith and integrity, especially when faced with the temptation to envy the wicked.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 24:19?2. How can Proverbs 24:19 guide us in dealing with evildoers today?3. What does Proverbs 24:19 teach about the futility of envying the wicked?4. How does Proverbs 24:19 connect with Jesus' teachings on loving enemies?5. How can we apply Proverbs 24:19 to maintain peace in our hearts?6. What practical steps can we take to avoid fretting over evildoers?7. How does Proverbs 24:19 address the problem of evil and injustice in the world? 8. Why does Proverbs 24:19 advise against fretting over evildoers? 9. What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 24:19? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 24?11. Why worry about those who do wrong?12. Proverbs 21:15: If justice truly terrifies evildoers, why do we see so many unjust individuals living without apparent fear or consequences? 13. How does Job 27:7–10 reconcile with observable reality where the wicked sometimes prosper rather than face immediate punishment? 14. How can Psalm 37:9 (“evildoers shall be cut off”) be taken seriously when many wicked individuals throughout history have lived long and prosperous lives?

What Does Proverbs 24:19 Mean

Do not fret over evildoers

“Do not fret over evildoers” (Proverbs 24:19a)

• The command is straightforward: anxiety about the success or power of the ungodly is forbidden. Psalm 37:1–2 echoes this: “Do not fret over those who do evil… for they wither quickly like grass.” The Lord assures us that evil is temporary.

• Fretfulness often springs from forgetting God’s sovereignty. Isaiah 8:12–13 reminds, “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy… but the Lord Almighty is the One you are to regard as holy.”

• Remembering God’s justice calms the heart. Nahum 1:3 declares, “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.”

• Practical takeaways:

– Shift focus from headlines of wickedness to promises of God.

– Replace worry with worship (Philippians 4:6–7).

– Recognize that fretting can lead to anger or compromise; self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).

Do not be envious of the wicked

“…and do not be envious of the wicked” (Proverbs 24:19b)

• Envy grows when the wicked appear to flourish. Psalm 73:3–5 captures the struggle: “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

• Proverbs 24:20 at once provides the antidote: “For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.” Their prosperity is fleeting.

• Jesus warns in Mark 8:36, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” This reframes success, exposing the hollowness of evil gain.

• Guarding the heart:

– Celebrate God’s goodness in your own life (James 1:17).

– Pursue contentment; Hebrews 13:5 says, “Be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you.’”

– Keep eternity in view; 2 Corinthians 4:18 urges us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.”

summary

Proverbs 24:19 calls believers to rest in God’s justice and reject both anxiety and envy when faced with the temporary success of evildoers. Trusting the Lord’s sovereign rule frees the heart from fretful comparison and renews contentment in His eternal promises.

(19) Fret not thyself because of evil men--i.e., at the sight of their prosperity, the same difficulty which occurred to the Psalmist (Psalm 37:1). (Comp. also Psalm 73:3 and Jeremiah 12:1.)

Verses 19, 20. - A warning against envying the prosperity of the wicked. Verse 19. - Fret not thyself because of evil men (comp. Ver. 1 and Psalm 37:1). The verb (charah) means "to burn," "to be angry;" so here we may render, "Be not enraged on account of evil doers." The anger would arise on account of the apparent inequitable distribution of blessings. St. Jerome has, Ne contendas cum pessimis; Septuagint, "Rejoice not over (ἐπὶ) evildoers." Neither be thou envious at the wicked; i.e. do not fancy that their prosperity is to be desired, nor be led to imitate their doings in order to secure like success. The new verse shows the solemn reason for this warning. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

fret
תִּתְחַ֥ר (tiṯ·ḥar)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

over evildoers,
בַּמְּרֵעִ֑ים (bam·mə·rê·‘îm)
Preposition-b, Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad

and do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be envious
תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א (tə·qan·nê)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7065: To be, zealous, jealous, envious

of the wicked.
בָּרְשָׁעִֽים׃ (bā·rə·šā·‘îm)
Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

Links

Proverbs 24:19 NIV
Proverbs 24:19 NLT
Proverbs 24:19 ESV
Proverbs 24:19 NASB
Proverbs 24:19 KJVProverbs 24:19 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 24:19 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 24:19 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 24:19 French Bible
Proverbs 24:19 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 24:19 Don't fret yourself because of evildoers (Prov. Pro Pr)