Proverbs 24:1 kjv

Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

Proverbs 24:1 nkjv

Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;

Proverbs 24:1 niv

Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company;

Proverbs 24:1 esv

Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,

Proverbs 24:1 nlt

Don't envy evil people
or desire their company.

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 1 Meaning

Proverbs 24:1 counsels believers not to harbor envy towards those who engage in wickedness, nor to yearn to associate with them or emulate their way of life. It serves as a stern warning against coveting the perceived, fleeting success or apparent ease of the unrighteous, emphasizing that such envy or desire to join them ultimately compromises one's own integrity and destiny.

Proverbs 24 1 Context

Proverbs chapter 24 falls within a section known as the "words of the wise," a collection of further sayings of Solomon or other inspired sages, which began in Proverbs 22:17. This section shifts slightly from the earlier didactic poems, offering more direct instructions and warnings. Chapter 24 itself continues to elaborate on themes of wisdom, diligence, righteousness, and the dangers of wickedness, idleness, and social injustice. Verse 1 serves as a foundational caution, immediately addressing an inner spiritual struggle common to all humanity: the temptation to resent or desire the apparent advantages of the ungodly in a world where immediate justice often seems elusive. It sets the tone for subsequent admonitions to uphold truth and righteous conduct despite outward appearances, emphasizing that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting and their end is destruction.

Proverbs 24 1 Word analysis

• Be not envious (אַל-תְּקַנֵּא, al-teqanne')

  • al (אַל): A prohibitive particle, meaning "do not." This is a strong, direct command.
  • teqanne' (תְּקַנֵּא): From the root qanah (קנא), which carries the meaning of "to be zealous," "to be jealous," or "to envy." In this context, it is explicitly negative envy or jealousy – a resentment or bitterness stemming from seeing someone else's apparent advantage, prosperity, or success, especially when that person is morally objectionable. This form of envy can lead one to question divine justice or to compromise one's own standards in pursuit of similar perceived gain. It addresses an internal heart issue.

• against evil men (בְּאַנְשֵׁי רָשַׁע, be'anshey rasha')

  • be (בְּ): Preposition meaning "against" or "at."
  • anshey (אַנְשֵׁי): From ish (אִישׁ), meaning "men," or "people." It refers to specific individuals characterized by the following descriptor.
  • rasha' (רָשַׁע): Meaning "wicked," "ungodly," "guilty," "unrighteous." These are individuals who willfully disregard God's law, commit moral wrongs, and live contrary to righteous principles. The warning is specifically against envying those whose way of life is morally corrupt, despite any worldly advantages they may temporarily accrue.

• neither desire (וְאַל-תִּתְאָו, ve'al-tit'av)

  • ve (וְ): Conjunction meaning "and" or "nor."
  • al (אַל): Again, a prohibitive particle, "do not." This repeats and reinforces the command, applying it to a different aspect of internal disposition.
  • tit'av (תִּתְאָו): From the root ta'av (תאוה), meaning "to crave," "to long for," "to lust after." This goes beyond just envy; it speaks of an inner yearning or powerful attraction towards something, in this case, the lifestyle or possessions associated with wicked people. It signifies wanting what they have, or wanting to be like them.

• to be with them (לִהְיוֹת אִתָּם, lihyot ittam)

  • lihyot (לִהְיוֹת): The infinitive construct of hayah (היה), "to be," "to become." This emphasizes existence, state, or association.
  • ittam (אִתָּם): A combination of im (עִם) "with" and hem (הֵם) "them." This phrase implies more than mere physical proximity. It encompasses association, partnership, adopting their methods, joining in their schemes, identifying with their worldview, or desiring to share in their ill-gotten gains and their perceived prosperity. It warns against a spiritual and moral entanglement that would inevitably lead to compromise and corruption of character.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Be not envious against evil men": This phrase directly confronts the internal struggle of observing the apparent success of the ungodly. It commands a rejection of bitter jealousy that arises when a righteous person questions the justice of God seeing the wicked thrive. It’s a call to guard one’s heart against the temptation to begrudge the wicked their temporal advantages. The Hebrew qanah can involve strong emotion, suggesting a deeply rooted spiritual battle against questioning God's fairness or one's own lot.
• "neither desire to be with them": This expands the warning from mere internal envy to active, internal longing for partnership or shared destiny with the wicked. It highlights the insidious nature of compromise, where envy can morph into a desire to adopt the strategies, mindset, or company of those who operate outside of God's ways. To "be with them" signifies not just physical presence but a shared identity, purpose, and even fate, which would ultimately lead to spiritual decay and ruin. This speaks to the call for holy separation.

Proverbs 24 1 Bonus section

• This verse underpins a recurring theme throughout biblical wisdom literature, particularly in Psalms (like 37 and 73), which acknowledge the common human struggle with the prosperity of the wicked before offering a divine perspective on their inevitable downfall and the ultimate triumph of the righteous.
• The counsel here emphasizes an internal battle more than external behavior, highlighting that true righteousness begins in the heart and thoughts. If one controls their desires and envies, their actions will follow suit.
• The warning implicitly points to God's delayed but certain justice. While the wicked may thrive for a season, their ultimate end is destruction, contrasting sharply with the security and enduring blessedness of those who trust in the Lord. This verse acts as a prompt for patient faith.
• "To be with them" extends beyond physical proximity to intellectual and spiritual alignment. It means not adopting their philosophies, their shortcuts to success, or their disdain for moral boundaries.
• This Proverb guards against apostasy or drifting away from faith due to discouragement or temptation presented by a seemingly unrewarding life of integrity versus a seemingly prosperous life of vice.

Proverbs 24 1 Commentary

Proverbs 24:1 stands as a crucial admonition for the wise, instructing them in the battle against external appearances that contradict divine justice. The world often presents a confusing landscape where the wicked seemingly prosper, gaining wealth, influence, or ease, while the righteous may face hardship or lack. This verse warns against two intertwined dangers arising from this observation: envy and desire for association.

Firstly, "Be not envious against evil men" addresses the internal heart condition. Envy is a corrosive emotion that questions God's sovereignty and righteousness. It suggests that one's own path of integrity is somehow inferior to the shortcut taken by the wicked. Such bitterness not only saps spiritual vitality but can lead one down a perilous path, seeking to emulate the very methods one envies. True wisdom trusts in God's ultimate justice, understanding that worldly success, disconnected from righteousness, is transient and hollow.

Secondly, "neither desire to be with them" extends the caution to the will and affections. It's not enough to suppress outward envy; one must also root out any internal yearning to join the wicked in their schemes, lifestyle, or even their perceived destiny. This warning recognizes the seductive power of perceived advantage. To "be with them" implies more than just casual interaction; it speaks to adopting their counsel, embracing their values, participating in their ill-gotten gains, or aligning oneself with their path. Such an alignment would inevitably lead to moral compromise, corrupting one's character and distancing them from the blessings and protection of God. The verse therefore is a foundational call for maintaining spiritual purity and trusting in the true, enduring recompense found only in God's righteous ways.