Proverbs 23:17
Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Hebrew word for "envy" here can also mean "to be zealous" or "to covet." This means the verse isn't just telling you not to envy sinners, but to redirect that passionate desire towards something truly worthy: the fear of the Lord. So, instead of a passive feeling of resentment, it's an active call to passionately pursue God's ways.
This verse arises in the midst of Proverbs' ongoing counsel to live wisely, directly contrasting the fleeting allure of the sinner's life with the enduring path of righteousness. The preceding verses warn against gluttony and the dangers of associating with those who indulge excessively, while the verses that follow will further elaborate on the ultimate futility of wickedness and the lasting rewards of fearing God.
Ever see someone living it up and wonder why life seems so unfair? This verse tackles that exact feeling.
It's natural to look at those who seem to have it all – wealth, ease, freedom from consequence – and feel a pang of envy. They might be prospering, enjoying their ill-gotten gains, or simply living without apparent checks. But the wisdom here is a direct command: 'Let not your heart envy sinners.' This isn't just about controlling outward actions, but the inner desire. It calls us to resist the temptation to covet their temporary advantages or to question God's justice. True prosperity isn't measured by earthly success alone.
If we're not supposed to envy sinners, what should we be focused on? This verse gives us the answer.
The antidote to envy is a steady, unwavering 'fear of the LORD.' This isn't a cowering terror, but a deep reverence and awe that recognizes God's presence, power, and ultimate authority. It means making Him the central focus of your life, not just on Sunday mornings or during crises, but 'all the day long.' This constant orientation towards God provides perspective. When you truly live with God in view, the fleeting success of the wicked loses its allure, and you find your satisfaction and security in Him.
Some ancient scholars saw a powerful twist in this verse – a call to redirect our desires.
Interestingly, some interpretations suggest the Hebrew word used here can carry a double meaning: to envy or to be zealous. Instead of 'envying' sinners, the verse could be urging us to have a 'zealous desire' for righteousness and for living in God's ways. Think of it like this: if you must have a strong desire or emulation, let it be directed towards pleasing God and following His commands, not towards the superficial gains of those who disregard Him. This transforms envy, a destructive emotion, into zeal, a powerful, life-affirming force for good.
Understand the original words
leb · Hebrew Noun
The central organ of human life, representing the total inner person—the mind, will, emotions, and moral character. It is viewed as the control center from which thoughts, decisions, and actions flow.
qana · Hebrew Verb
A painful, resentful longing for the possessions, status, or perceived success of others, condemned in Scripture as it stems from a lack of contentment in God and His provision.
yirah · Hebrew Noun
A reverent, awe-filled submission to God's holiness and authority, which leads to wisdom and righteous living. It is the beginning of wisdom and the defining characteristic of a person who honors God.
This psalm directly addresses the temptation to envy the prosperity of the wicked, echoing Proverbs' warning and offering encouragement to trust in the LORD.
Psalm 73:2-3The psalmist here confesses his near stumble into envy of the wicked's seemingly easy lives and flourishing circumstances, highlighting the internal struggle Proverbs speaks to.
Galatians 5:16This New Testament passage contrasts the desires of the flesh with the guidance of the Spirit, aligning with Proverbs' call to direct our desires away from worldly success and towards righteousness.
Romans 12:1-2Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices and to not be conformed to this world, a profound parallel to Proverbs' exhortation to continually live in the fear of the LORD rather than envying sinners.
jfbProverbs 23:17: "Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long."
17, 18. (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.
bensonProverbs 23:17: "Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long."
Proverbs 23:17-18 . Let not thy heart envy sinners — Let not the consideration of their present impunity and prosperity excite thee either to envy them, or to approve and imitate their evil courses; but be thou in the fear of the Lord — Reverence the presence of the Divine Majesty, and dread his power and justice, and those judgments which he hath prepared for sinners, and thou wilt see no…
The Hebrew word for "envy" here can also mean "to be zealous" or "to covet." This means the verse isn't just telling you not to envy sinners, but to redirect that passionate desire towards something truly worthy: the fear of the Lord. So, instead of a passive feeling of resentment, it's an active call to passionately pursue God's ways.
This verse arises in the midst of Proverbs' ongoing counsel to live wisely, directly contrasting the fleeting allure of the sinner's life with the enduring path of righteousness. The preceding verses warn against gluttony and the dangers of associating with those who indulge excessively, while the verses that follow will further elaborate on the ultimate futility of wickedness and the lasting rewards of fearing God.
This verse arises in the midst of Proverbs' ongoing counsel to live wisely, directly contrasting the fleeting allure of the sinner's life with the enduring path of righteousness. The preceding verses warn against gluttony and the dangers of associating with those who indulge excessively, while the verses that follow will further elaborate on the ultimate futility of wickedness and the lasting rewards of fearing God.
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"Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day." — The Hebrew word for "envy" here can also mean "to be zealous" or "to covet." This means the verse isn't just telling you not to envy sinners, but to redirect that passionate desire towards somethin…
