Proverbs 23:17 kjv
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Proverbs 23:17 nkjv
Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
Proverbs 23:17 niv
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 23:17 esv
Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.
Proverbs 23:17 nlt
Don't envy sinners,
but always continue to fear the LORD.
Proverbs 23 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 37:1 | Fret not thyself because of evildoers... | Do not envy wicked prosperity. |
| Ps 37:7 | Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him... | Trust God's timing over comparing. |
| Ps 37:38 | But the transgressors shall be destroyed together... | End of the wicked contrasted. |
| Ps 73:2-3 | But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish... | Personal struggle with envying the proud. |
| Ps 73:16-17 | When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. | Sanctuary provides proper perspective. |
| Ps 73:27-28 | For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish... | God's justice reveals wicked's fate. |
| Jer 12:1 | Why doth the way of the wicked prosper? | A common question regarding evil prosperity. |
| Job 21:7 | Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? | Observing wicked's longevity and strength. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge... | Fear of LORD is foundation of wisdom. |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom... | Fear of LORD is chief wisdom. |
| Prov 14:27 | The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life... | Fear of LORD brings life and protection. |
| Deut 6:2 | That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes... | Fear leading to obedience. |
| Deut 10:12 | What doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God... | Sum of required conduct. |
| Eccl 12:13 | Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. | Summary of human duty. |
| Phil 3:19 | Whose end is destruction... who mind earthly things. | Earthly-minded ultimate end. |
| Jas 3:16 | For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. | Negative consequences of envy. |
| Rom 13:13 | Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in envying... | Warning against envy. |
| Gal 5:19-21 | The works of the flesh... envyings, murders, drunkenness... | Envy as a work of the flesh. |
| Matt 6:24 | No man can serve two masters... | Cannot serve God and mammon (wealth). |
| Luke 16:13 | No servant can serve two masters... | Parallel teaching on serving masters. |
| Col 3:2 | Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. | Directs heart's focus. |
| 1 Pet 1:17 | If ye call on the Father... pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. | Living life in reverence to God. |
| Heb 12:28 | Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. | Service to God rooted in reverence. |
| Prov 24:19 | Fret not thyself because of evil men... | Repetition of similar instruction. |
Proverbs 23 verses
Proverbs 23 17 Meaning
Proverbs 23:17 calls the reader to resist the temptation to covet or admire the apparent prosperity and success of those who live outside God's ways. Instead, it directs the heart to consistently maintain a deep reverence and obedient awe for the LORD throughout one's life. This verse highlights a fundamental choice: to be drawn to the superficial allure of worldly success apart from God or to commit fully to a life shaped by divine wisdom and fear.
Proverbs 23 17 Context
Proverbs is a book of wisdom, largely composed of didactic instructions from a father figure (wisdom teacher) to his "son" or disciple. Chapter 23 specifically addresses practical areas of life, providing warnings against pitfalls such as gluttony, dishonesty in land boundaries, and irresponsible behavior due to strong drink. This particular verse (23:17) fits into a broader theme within Proverbs (and indeed the entire Old Testament) that grapples with the apparent prosperity of the wicked. Historically, the audience would have been part of an agricultural society where righteousness was often associated with material blessings, leading to potential theological struggle when the ungodly appeared to thrive. The verse serves as a strong polemic against the natural human inclination to compare one's difficult path of righteousness with the seemingly easy, prosperous path of the wicked, reinforcing that true enduring benefit and hope are found only in God. It implicitly warns against allowing observation of others' success to undermine one's commitment to God's ways.
Proverbs 23 17 Word analysis
- Let not: Implies a prohibition, a command to actively guard against a specific internal inclination. It indicates an intentional act of resistance is required.
- thine heart: lev (לֵב) in Hebrew. Far more than just the physical organ; it refers to the totality of a person's inner being—their mind, will, emotions, and moral core. It is the seat of intellect, desire, and decision-making. (Prov 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence...")
- envy: qana' (קָנָא) - to be zealous, jealous, or envious. In this context, it carries a negative connotation of coveting what others have, often implying ill-will or discontent with one's own lot, especially when observing the wicked's apparent success. It implies not just admiration, but a longing for their position or ease.
- sinners: hatta'im (חַטָּאִים) - plural of hatah meaning "to miss the mark." Refers to those who habitually stray from God's revealed law and way of life, implying an ungodly or morally wayward lifestyle, distinct from a temporary lapse. Their prosperity is often ill-gotten or transient.
- but be thou: A strong contrast (ki im in Hebrew, meaning "but rather" or "surely") directing the focus from what to avoid to what to pursue. It's a positive command for active engagement.
- in the fear: yir'ah (יִרְאָה) - not just terror or dread, but a profound reverence, awe, respect, and submission towards God. It encompasses recognizing God's supreme authority, holiness, and justice, leading to humble obedience and worship. This "fear" is intimately connected to wisdom and knowledge of God.
- of the LORD: Yahweh (יְהוָה) - God's personal covenant name, revealed to Israel, signifying His unchanging, eternal, and redemptive nature. This emphasizes that the fear is directed specifically towards the true God of Israel, not any false deity.
- all the day long: Signifies continuous, unceasing vigilance and devotion. It's not a momentary act or feeling, but a consistent disposition and lifestyle choice that shapes one's every moment and decision. It speaks to sustained character formation.
Proverbs 23 17 Bonus section
The contrast in this verse sets the transient success of the wicked against the eternal hope and blessing derived from a life lived in reverence for God. While the wicked may prosper for a time, their end is often sudden destruction, or at best, they leave no lasting spiritual legacy. In contrast, the one who fears the LORD has a future and a hope, with ultimate blessings rooted in their relationship with the eternal God. This perspective aligns with other biblical truths that admonish believers not to conform to the world's values but to be transformed by renewing their minds, trusting God's wisdom over superficial appearances (Rom 12:2).
Proverbs 23 17 Commentary
Proverbs 23:17 presents a powerful spiritual antidote to a pervasive human temptation: the desire for what the ungodly possess, be it material wealth, perceived freedom, or earthly comfort. The verse wisely acknowledges the seductive appearance of the wicked's flourishing state, a struggle powerfully depicted in Psalms 37 and 73. However, it issues a stark warning: do not allow your "heart," the very core of your being, to be drawn to or discontent with what unrighteous people achieve. Such envy leads to bitterness, dissatisfaction, and eventually to abandoning God's righteous path (Jas 3:16).
The command "but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long" is the profound remedy. It is a call to redirect the focus of one's entire existence. The "fear of the LORD" is the cardinal principle of Proverbs, meaning a deep, reverent awe that shapes one's perspective, choices, and obedience. It means living in constant awareness of God's presence, His sovereignty, and His holy character. This isn't a casual, occasional practice, but an "all the day long" commitment, signifying that genuine godliness is an ongoing disposition, a worldview, rather than a series of sporadic actions. When one’s life is constantly governed by the fear of the LORD, the fleeting gains of the wicked lose their allure, and true enduring hope and security in God’s ultimate justice become paramount.