Amplified Bible
Proverbs 23:17
17Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day.
Proverbs 23:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
- New International Version (NIV)Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;
Context of Proverbs 23:17
15My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will also be glad; 16Yes, my heart will rejoice When your lips speak right things. Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day. 18Surely there is a future [and a reward], And your hope and expectation will not be cut off. 19Listen, my son, and be wise, And direct your heart in the way [of the Lord].
Read all of Proverbs 23Proverbs 23:17 word by word
אַל־יְקַנֵּ֣א לִ֭בְּךָ בַּֽחַטָּאִ֑ים כִּ֥י אִם־בְּיִרְאַת־יְ֝הוָ֗ה כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 23:17
- Proverbs 3:31Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways.
- Proverbs 24:1Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;
- Psalms 37:1Do not worry because of evildoers, Nor be envious toward wrongdoers;
- Psalms 73:3For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- Proverbs 15:16Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord Than great treasure and trouble with it.
- Proverbs 28:14Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times, But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.
- Psalms 111:10The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; A good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord; His praise endures forever.
- Psalms 112:1Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with obedience], Who delights greatly in His commandments.
- Ecclesiastes 5:7For in a multitude of dreams and in a flood of words there is worthlessness. Rather [reverently] fear God [and worship Him with awe-filled respect, knowing who He is].
- Ecclesiastes 12:13When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person.
- Acts 9:31So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace [without persecution], being built up [in wisdom, virtue, and faith]; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow [in numbers].
- 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.
- 1 Peter 1:17If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth.
Commentaries on Proverbs 23:17
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15-35Verses 15-35 Another continuous exhortation rather than a collection of maxims. Proverbs 23:16 The teacher rejoices when the disciple‘s heart Proverbs 23:15 receives wisdom, and yet more when his lips can utter it. Reins - See Job 19:27 note. Proverbs 23:17 Envy sinners - Compare in Psalm 37:1; Psalm 73:3; the feeling which looks half-longingly at the prosperity of evil doers. Some connect the verb “envy” with the second clause, “envy not sinners, but…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-18Verses 17-18 The believer's expectation shall not be disappointed; the end of his trials, and of the sinner's prosperity, is at hand.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-18Saying 14: Sometimes sinners succeed, but the wise know that fearing the Lord brings true rewards (see Proverbs 1:7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-1817-18. (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 23:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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