Proverbs Chapter 24
Wisdom, Love, and Respect
The section continues the “thirty sayings of the wise,” focusing on how wisdom governs relationships, the home, and one’s associations. These verses emphasize discernment in choosing companions and in building a godly home rooted in understanding and knowledge.
(Proverbs 24:1-2) Do not envy or associate with evil men.
“Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking.”
The temptation to envy evil men can be subtle yet dangerous. The righteous may observe the apparent success or prosperity of the wicked and feel a pull to imitate their ways. Yet Scripture warns that such envy corrupts the heart. Evil men are driven by motives of violence and destruction. Their speech reveals their true nature, for what fills the heart eventually flows from the mouth.
Bridges observed that this spirit of envy “if it does not bring the scandal of open sin, curses our blessings, withers our virtues, destroys our peace, clouds our confidence, and stains our Christian profession.” In other words, even silent admiration of the wicked robs believers of spiritual vitality. The prosperity of evil men is temporary, their end sure. The wise antidote to envy is to take the long view. As Proverbs 23:18 says, “For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off,” while Proverbs 24:20 declares, “For there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” The temporary gain of evil men fades, but the righteous endure eternally.
(Proverbs 24:3-4) Wisdom for the home.
“Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
Just as a house cannot stand without sound architecture, so a family cannot thrive without godly wisdom. A home built upon understanding and divine truth will remain firm against the storms of life. Wisdom constructs the moral and spiritual framework, understanding gives stability, and knowledge fills it with richness and beauty.
This proverb applies both to literal homes and to the family relationships within them. A household rooted in the fear of the Lord will find itself filled with spiritual wealth: love, peace, harmony, and godly joy. The home of the wicked, by contrast, lacks true substance and endurance. As Geier noted, “It is only the snow-palace built in the winter, and melting away under the power of the summer’s sun.”
To fill the rooms “with all precious and pleasant riches” is to fill the heart of the home with virtues that cannot be bought. As Garrett notes, “The precious jewels that fill the house are a harmonious, loving family and a sense of security and stability.” When a family honors God’s wisdom, that home becomes a sanctuary of blessing, a place where both spiritual and even material favor may abound.
(Proverbs 24:5-6) The strength of wisdom.
“A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; for by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”
Solomon declares that true strength is not found merely in physical power or worldly resources, but in wisdom. A wise man is strong because he possesses discernment, patience, and the ability to act with prudence. Knowledge deepens that strength, enabling one to navigate life’s conflicts and challenges with godly confidence. Folly, on the other hand, weakens a person, leaving him exposed and easily defeated.
As Poole explains, the wise man “is courageous and resolute, and able by wisdom to do greater things than others can accomplish by their own strength.” Wisdom supplies endurance, stability, and spiritual might, whereas brute force, without understanding, often leads to destruction.
The strength of wisdom is not self-contained. The wise man recognizes his limitations and values the insight of others. Solomon reminds us, “For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” This principle calls for humility and cooperation. The believer who seeks godly counsel and surrounds himself with wise advisors multiplies his strength. Even the most capable individual benefits from shared discernment, for no man can see every angle or foresee every consequence alone. Wisdom grows stronger when it draws upon the collective insight of the righteous.
(Proverbs 24:7-9) The sin of folly.
“Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate. He who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. The devising of foolishness is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.”
Wisdom is beyond the grasp of the fool, not because it is unattainable, but because he refuses to reach for it. The fool despises discipline, avoids correction, and mocks what he does not understand. To him, wisdom appears too lofty — too hard, too costly, too humbling to pursue. As Poole notes, the fool “judgeth it too hard for him, he despairs of attaining it, he pretends the impossibility of it, because he will not put himself to the charge or trouble of getting it.” His problem is not inability but unwillingness.
Bridges expands this thought, writing that “the simple and diligent prove that the treasure is not really out of reach; but it is too high for a fool. His groveling mind can never rise to so lofty a matter. He has no understanding of it, no heart to desire it, no energy to hold it.” The fool’s rejection of wisdom is self-imposed, his ignorance a chosen bondage.
“He does not open his mouth in the gate.” In the ancient world, the gate was where city elders met to make judgments and govern. The fool has no place there. His ignorance disqualifies him from influence. Poole explains that either “he can say nothing for himself when he is accused before the magistrate” or “he knows not how to speak acceptably and profitably in the public assembly among wise men.” Waltke observes that this proverb “notes the incompetence of fools to speak in the gate where public policy is formulated.” Thus, Proverbs warns that wisdom is essential for both moral and civic authority.
“He who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.” The one who uses cleverness for wicked ends will eventually be recognized and condemned. Though he may disguise his schemes with smooth words or respectable pretense, his character will not remain hidden. As Poole says, “Though he cover his wicked devices with fair pretences, and would be better esteemed, yet he shall be noted and branded with that infamy which is due to him.”
Ross adds that such a man “is capable of intense mental activity but it adds up to sin. This type of person flouts all morality, and sooner or later the public will have had enough of him.” The devising of foolishness itself is sin, for sin begins in the heart before it ever manifests in action.
Finally, “the scoffer is an abomination to men.” The mocker, who delights in scorning truth and righteousness, becomes universally despised. Trapp notes that “the basest can mock, as the abjects did David, and Tobiah the servant did Nehemiah. Scorners are the most base spirits. The Septuagint call them pests, incorrigible, proud persons, naught.” The mocker’s arrogance isolates him, turning others away in disgust.
This passage warns that folly not only blinds the mind but corrupts the soul, making one useless to society and repulsive to God and man alike.
(Proverbs 24:10) The measure of strength.
“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”
Adversity serves as the proving ground of character. It reveals whether one’s faith, wisdom, and inner fortitude are genuine or superficial. Solomon teaches that if a man collapses when tested, his strength was never as great as he imagined. The “day of adversity” comes to both the righteous and the wicked, yet how one endures it demonstrates the quality of their strength.
Clarke observes, “In times of trial we should endeavour to be doubly courageous; when a man loses his courage, his strength avails him nothing.” Courage and endurance are the true indicators of spiritual maturity. When life presses hardest, the believer’s reliance on God must increase. Weak faith, like brittle metal, snaps under pressure, but genuine strength, tempered by trust in God, grows more resilient with every trial.
It is important to note that adversity does not create weakness; it exposes it. The crucible does not invent impurities—it merely reveals them. Likewise, trials expose the depth of our spiritual stamina. For the believer who feels frail, Bridges offers hope: “Commit yourself daily to Him, for His supply of grace is sufficient for you. So go forward, weak and strong at the same time—weak in order to be strong, strong in your weakness.” This echoes the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where he records the Lord’s assurance, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” The man who leans upon divine power never truly faints, for his endurance is drawn from the Almighty.
(Proverbs 24:11-12) Help those on their way to destruction.
“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?”
The wise are not to live in self-preserving indifference, but to intervene for those perishing in physical, moral, or spiritual ruin. Solomon exhorts the reader to deliver those who are being drawn toward death—to take action, to intercede, and to rescue. Those “stumbling to the slaughter” may refer to victims of injustice, or more broadly, to sinners blindly marching toward destruction through their own rebellion. The righteous man is called to stand in their way, to hold them back if possible, and to act as a moral barrier against evil.
Garrett explains that this could include “literal prisoners who have been (presumably wrongfully) condemned to die,” where one must take extraordinary measures for their release, or those “stumbling toward death because of their moral and spiritual blindness.” Both interpretations carry truth: believers are commanded to stand for righteousness, both physically and spiritually.
The story of Esther illustrates this call vividly. Esther risked her life to intercede for her people, who were “drawn toward death” under Haman’s decree. She could have remained silent and comfortable in the palace, but her courage delivered an entire nation. As Mordecai told her in Esther 4:14, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Her obedience exemplifies the duty of every believer who sees injustice or spiritual peril and refuses to remain silent.
The temptation to pass responsibility to others, or to claim ignorance, is condemned in verse 12. “If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?” God knows the motives of every heart. The One who “keeps your soul” knows when indifference is disguised as innocence. As Meyer warns, “We cannot ignore the evil around us, and say we are not responsible for it. We cannot shut our eyes and avert our faces from wrongdoing, and tyranny, and oppression.” Silence in the face of evil is complicity.
God will not overlook apathy: “Will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” (Proverbs 24:12). The Lord is perfectly just. He will reward the faithful who intervene for the helpless and punish those who stand idly by. Poole explains, “God will certainly deal with thee as thou hast dealt with Him, either rewarding thy performance of this duty, or punishing thy neglect of it.” Waltke adds, “If the son turns a blind eye to helping victims and does nothing to help them, the Protector of Life will turn a blind eye to him in his crisis. Count on it!”
This passage affirms a core biblical truth: knowledge brings responsibility. When we see others heading toward destruction—whether through sin, ignorance, or injustice—we are commanded to act. The measure of one’s strength is not merely in enduring adversity but in standing up for others during it.
(Proverbs 24:13-14) The sweetness of wisdom.
“My son, eat honey because it is good, and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; so shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; if you have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope will not be cut off.”
Solomon uses the sweetness of honey as a vivid illustration of the delight and benefit that wisdom brings to the soul. Honey was a prized and natural delicacy in the ancient world, valued for its flavor and nourishment. Just as honey strengthens the body, so wisdom nourishes the soul. “The proverb draws on the image of honey,” Ross notes, “its health-giving properties make a good analogy to wisdom.”
Right behavior and godly wisdom are not only correct—they are good, wholesome, and deeply satisfying. Garrett observes, “Right behavior is not recommended solely on the grounds of austere morality but also because it is the best route to sheer pleasure and the fulfillment of dreams.” The pursuit of wisdom is not a joyless duty but the discovery of sweetness itself. The taste of truth becomes delightful to those who hunger for righteousness.
When Solomon says, “So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul,” he teaches that the joy of wisdom is inward and spiritual. Its reward is not merely external success but internal satisfaction—a sense of divine order, peace, and understanding that no worldly pleasure can duplicate. Those who find wisdom have found a sweetness that endures.
Poole points out the phrase, “If you have found it,” noting, “Whereby he implies that there is indeed some difficulty and trouble in the pursuit of wisdom, but that it is abundantly compensated with the sweetness and advantage of it when a man arrives at it.” Wisdom requires effort, discipline, and humility, but once attained, its taste is incomparable. The soul that delights in God’s truth finds that “there is a prospect,” a secure future, “and your hope will not be cut off.” The promises of God stand sure for the wise, for they rest in divine understanding, not human presumption.
(Proverbs 24:15-16) The resilience of the righteous.
“Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not plunder his resting place; for a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.”
The wicked are warned not to attack the righteous. Though they may plot, plunder, or persecute, they cannot ultimately prevail. God Himself sustains and vindicates the upright. The text declares, “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.” The number seven speaks of completeness or repetition—it means that no matter how often adversity strikes, the righteous will rise again through the sustaining grace of God.
Many commentators agree that this “fall” may refer to both calamity and moral failure. Whether by hardship or mistake, the righteous man is not utterly cast down. Clarke writes, “Though God permit the hand of violence sometimes to spoil his tent, temptations to assail his mind, and afflictions to press down his body, he constantly emerges; and every time he passes through the furnace, he comes out brighter and more refined.”
The believer’s confidence is not in his own endurance, but in the faithfulness of God who restores him. This aligns with Philippians 1:6, which says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” As Morgan explains, “The real power to stand up against life, to profit by its buffetings, to make capital out of its disadvantages, to collect tribute from its tribulations, is that of the righteousness of conduct which results from walking in the ways of wisdom, by yielding to the inspiration and authority of the fear of Jehovah.”
In contrast, “the wicked shall fall by calamity.” Unlike the righteous, they have no divine hand to lift them. Their collapse is final because it lacks God’s sustaining grace. Ross comments, “Conversely, the wicked will not survive—without God they have no power to rise from misfortune. The point then is that ultimately the righteous will triumph and those who oppose them will stumble over their evil.” The wicked fall permanently; the righteous rise perpetually.
(Proverbs 24:17-18) Don’t rejoice in the tragic destiny of the wicked.
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.”
Though the wicked may fall, the righteous must not gloat over their downfall. The command here strikes at the pride and vindictiveness that often lurk in the human heart. We are not to rejoice in the destruction of another, even if that person was our enemy. David modeled this godly restraint when Saul, his enemy, died in battle: “Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them… And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even” (2 Samuel 1:11–12).
Trapp recounts that “Caesar wept when Pompey’s head was presented to him, and said, Victoriam volui, non vindictam—‘I wanted victory, not revenge.’” The spirit of the righteous rejoices in righteousness, not in vengeance.
“Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him.” God looks upon the heart, and if He sees that we delight in another’s downfall, He may turn away His judgment from them to correct our pride. Ross warns, “So if we want God to continue His anger on the wicked, we better not gloat.” God’s justice is His prerogative, and it must never become a cause for self-exaltation.
(Proverbs 24:19-20) Do not let the wicked make you worry.
“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; for there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”
Solomon again warns against two common spiritual pitfalls: fretting over the success of the wicked and envying their apparent prosperity. The righteous often struggle when they see the ungodly thrive while the faithful suffer, yet Scripture consistently teaches that such worry is misplaced. The temporary triumphs of evil men are but shadows compared to the enduring reward of the righteous.
Garrett notes that the word “fret” is too mild, explaining, “Do not get yourself infuriated over evildoers is more accurate. Those who love the truth are naturally enraged by the effrontery of those who promote or practice godless behavior.” The righteous must be careful not to let righteous anger turn into bitterness or anxiety. God remains sovereign, and His justice, though delayed, is certain.
The proverb continues, “For there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” The “lamp” symbolizes both life and influence. Its extinguishing points to the death and ruin awaiting the ungodly, both in this life and beyond. The pleasure and power of the wicked are temporary; their light burns briefly before it dies in darkness. Waltke comments, “Keeping the extinction of their lamp in view will extinguish burning envy.” Remembering their inevitable end preserves the believer from jealousy or despair.
Bridges recounts the words of the atheist philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who said on his deathbed, “I give my body to the dust, and my soul to the Great Perhaps. I am going to take a leap in the dark.” Bridges adds solemnly, “Alas, was it not a leap into darkness forever?” The end of the wicked is not annihilation, as Clarke clarifies, but eternal separation from joy and peace: “The wicked shall be; but they shall not be happy.” The believer’s peace lies in knowing that justice belongs to the Lord, who will put out the lamp of the wicked in His perfect time.
(Proverbs 24:21-22) Respect for God and the king.
“My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those given to change; for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin those two can bring?”
Here Solomon reminds his son that wisdom begins with proper respect for both divine and earthly authority. “Fear the Lord and the king.” To fear the Lord is to revere His holiness and submit to His commandments; to fear the king is to respect the authority God has ordained to preserve order among men. This principle is echoed in Romans 13:1-2: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
Poole wisely observes, “He puts God before the king, because God is to be served in the first place, and our obedience is to be given to kings only in subordination to God, and not in those things which are contrary to the will and command of God, as is manifest both from plain Scripture, as Acts 5:29, and from the judgment and practice of wise and sober heathens.” Thus, while believers must honor and obey governing authorities, such submission has its boundaries—it is always subordinate to the higher allegiance owed to God.
Solomon continues, “Do not associate with those given to change.” This refers to those who are rebellious, restless, and eager to overthrow established order for the sake of novelty or ambition. Those “given to change” reject God’s ordained structure and invite chaos. The proverb warns that “their calamity will rise suddenly,” for rebellion often ends in disaster. Ross summarizes the point succinctly: “People should fear both God and the government, for both punish rebels.”
Trapp points to historical examples of such destruction: “Such were Korah and his complices; Absalom; Sheba; the ten tribes that cried, ‘Ease our yoke’; and before them, those in Samuel’s time that cried, ‘Nay, but we will have a king.’” All these men sought to upend authority and reaped ruin as their reward. Their rebellion was not only against men but against God’s order itself.
The concluding line—“Who knows the ruin those two can bring?”—warns that both divine and royal wrath can bring swift and total destruction. God and king together form a hedge of judgment around justice and order; to oppose them is to invite calamity. The wise man therefore honors both heavenly and earthly authority, knowing that peace and blessing flow from reverence, not rebellion.
Further Sayings of the Wise
(Proverbs 24:23-25) The importance of true justice.
“These things also belong to the wise: it is not good to show partiality in judgment. He who says to the wicked, ‘You are righteous,’ him the people will curse; nations will abhor him. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.”
Solomon introduces a new section of sayings that extend beyond the thirty earlier proverbs of the wise. These final reflections emphasize justice, moral clarity, and the blessing that accompanies righteousness.
“It is not good to show partiality in judgment.” This principle stands at the heart of true wisdom and moral governance. Whether in the formal setting of a courtroom or in daily relationships, justice must never bend to favoritism or external appearance. To favor one person over another—whether out of fear, friendship, or shared background—is to betray the very essence of righteousness. As Trapp explains, the Hebrew expression “to know faces” means “to regard not so much the matter as the man; to hear persons speak, and not causes; to judge not according to truth and equity, but according to opinion and appearance—to fear or favour.”
God’s Word repeatedly condemns partiality. Deuteronomy 1:17 declares, “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s.” Similarly, James 2:9 warns, “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” True justice requires impartiality, because it reflects the character of God, who “regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward” (Deuteronomy 10:17).
“He who says to the wicked, ‘You are righteous,’ him the people will curse; nations will abhor him.” To justify the wicked is to overturn God’s moral order and bring corruption upon society. When evil is declared good, truth is trampled and nations decay. The wise understand that to excuse wickedness invites public outrage and divine displeasure. Even unbelievers, by common grace, instinctively recognize that to call evil good is abhorrent.
This verse also exposes the folly of modern moral confusion. As the commentary observes, “It is a mark of the folly of our present age that many monstrous examples of evil or wickedness today are told, ‘You are righteous.’” When sin is celebrated as virtue, judgment follows. Scripture warns in Isaiah 5:20, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” The wise society will resist this inversion of morality, while a foolish culture will embrace it to its own destruction.
“But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” The righteous man does not excuse evil but confronts it. To rebuke the wicked is to side with truth, even when unpopular. God promises blessing to those who courageously stand for righteousness. Though the world may resist, heaven approves. To correct sin is not cruelty but love, for “open rebuke is better than secret love” (Proverbs 27:5). The one who loves truth and righteousness will find joy in defending them, and “a good blessing will come upon them,” both from God and from those who value integrity.
(Proverbs 24:26) The beauty of a right response.
“He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.”
A truthful and fitting response brings a sweetness of fellowship and respect, like a sincere kiss between friends. The right word, spoken at the right time, is not only wise but beautiful. It reflects discernment, honesty, and love for truth.
Kidner notes, “A proper forthrightness, costly though it may seem, wins gratitude, and has its special charm.” There is beauty in clarity and directness, for truth fosters trust and understanding. The wise man’s words may correct, but they do so with grace and purpose, not cruelty.
To “kiss the lips” is a vivid image of affection and sincerity. Clarke explains that one who gives a right answer “shall treat him with affection and respect.” In ancient Persian culture, as Ross observes, “kissing on the lips was a sign of true friendship.” Therefore, the proverb teaches that honest speech builds genuine relationships, for truth spoken in love draws hearts together rather than driving them apart.
This principle is perfectly illustrated in the ministry of Jesus Christ, who always gave a right answer. Whether addressing enemies, disciples, or the humble seeker, His words were timely, true, and piercing. His responses carried both authority and tenderness—wisdom clothed in love.
Thus, a right answer is not merely an act of intelligence but of character. It reflects the integrity of one who fears God and values truth above approval. Wisdom expressed through righteous speech brings harmony, respect, and blessing to all who hear it.
(Proverbs 24:27) Order your work wisely.
“Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house.”
This proverb teaches the principle of wise preparation and order. Before building a house, the ground must be made ready; before enjoyment comes labor. The wise man plans his work in the proper sequence and ensures that his foundation is established before pursuing comfort or luxury.
“Prepare your outside work” refers to securing one’s livelihood before taking on added responsibilities or indulgence. Waltke explains, “This would include plowing the land, planting gardens and orchards, so that it produces its fruit.” In other words, provision must precede possession. Clarke adds practical counsel: “Do nothing without a plan. In winter prepare seed, implements, tackle, gears, etc., for seed-time and harvest.” Preparation and order bring stability, while haste and disorder bring ruin.
The proverb continues, “And afterward build your house.” Many desire the security or appearance of success before the groundwork is laid. The temptation to build the “house” first—whether literally or metaphorically—reveals impatience and pride. Garrett summarizes it well: “It emphasizes the practical rule of producing before consuming, a rule the slothful do not accept.”
This principle applies not only to work and wealth, but also to every area of life. Bridges draws a parallel to Solomon’s own example: “Preparations for Solomon’s magnificent temple were made before his house was built. The spiritual house is similarly made of materials that have been prepared and fitted and so grow into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21–22). Likewise, a believer’s life must first be established on the foundation of faith and obedience before it can grow into something enduring.
Kidner adds another layer: “As, in a rural economy, well-worked fields justify and nourish the farmhouse, so a well-ordered life (in things material and immaterial) should be established before marriage.” This speaks to the virtue of readiness—both materially and spiritually—before taking on new commitments. True wisdom always builds on order, patience, and faithfulness in small things before great ones.
(Proverbs 24:28-29) The importance of speaking the truth about others.
“Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, for would you deceive with your lips? Do not say, ‘I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.’”
Here Solomon warns against using speech as a weapon. The command, “Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,” forbids speaking against others rashly, falsely, or vindictively. A godly man must never give testimony—whether formal or informal—without just cause. False or careless speech about another’s reputation is a grievous sin before God.
Bridges insightfully comments, “Profit is the bait to the thief, lust to the adulterer, revenge to the murderer. But it is difficult to say what advantage the witness gains from testifying against his neighbor. The allurement of this sin is the same as Satan himself feels—that is, the love of sin for its own sake.” Bearing false witness often brings no tangible gain; it springs from malice or pride—a reflection of Satan’s own spirit, who is called “the accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10).
The verse continues, “Would you deceive with your lips?” False testimony is deceit, whether outright lying or subtle exaggeration. Even the half-truth, designed to mislead, violates the commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16). The wise person guards his speech, refusing to harm another with words.
“Do not say, ‘I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.’” Here the temptation is to seek revenge—to return insult for insult, lie for lie. But the way of wisdom forbids such retaliation. The believer must resist the natural impulse to strike back, choosing instead to trust God for justice. The Apostle Paul echoes this in 1 Thessalonians 5:15: “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
Waltke explains that, “According to the Bible, an injured party must love his neighbor (Leviticus 19:18) and commit the injustice to the sublime God and His elect magistrate to adjudicate.” Vengeance belongs to God alone (Romans 12:19). Trapp adds, “Nothing is more natural than revenge of wrongs, and the world approves it as right temper, true touch, as to put up wrongs is held cowardice and unmanliness. But we have not so learned Christ.”
Indeed, the spirit of Christ calls us to higher ground. The Lord Jesus Himself, “when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). To speak truthfully and forgive freely is the mark of the wise and godly heart.
(Proverbs 24:30-34) The tragedy of the lazy man.
“I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.”
This final saying of the wise is a vivid picture of the consequences of laziness. Solomon describes walking past the neglected property of a lazy man—a scene of ruin and decay. The ground, once capable of bearing fruit, now lies overgrown with thorns and nettles, its protective wall broken down. The image is both literal and symbolic: laziness destroys not only fields and homes but also character, opportunity, and spiritual vitality.
“There it was, all overgrown with thorns.” The lazy man did not intentionally sow thorns or tear down his wall, yet his neglect accomplished the same outcome. Laziness is passive destruction—it allows ruin to spread where diligence could have preserved order and fruitfulness. Waltke connects this to Isaiah 28:24–29, where careful and industrious fieldwork is described, showing the contrast between the wise laborer and the negligent fool. The message is clear: neglect is as dangerous as active wrongdoing.
“When I saw it, I considered it well.” The wise man pauses to reflect upon what he sees. He does not need to repeat the lazy man’s mistakes to learn from them. True wisdom draws lessons from the failures of others. Garrett comments, “The anecdote invites the reader to recall similar observations of homes in disrepair and to draw the same conclusions even while participating in the poet’s disgust over the shameful condition of the lackadaisical man’s home.” The wise observe the ruin of sloth and apply its lesson to their own lives, realizing that laziness always leads to collapse.
“A little sleep, a little slumber.” The lazy man’s downfall begins with self-deception. He convinces himself that “a little rest” will do no harm. Yet these small indulgences, repeated daily, grow into a pattern of neglect. The issue is not rest itself—God commands rest—but misplaced priorities and failure to act when duty calls. Spurgeon insightfully warns, “Rest assured of that; the best will become the worse if we neglect it. Neglect is all that is needed to produce evil. If you want to know the way of salvation I must take some pains to tell you; but if you want to know the way to be lost, my reply is easy; for it is only a matter of negligence.” The path to destruction is paved not only by wicked deeds but by the quiet drift of apathy.
“So shall your poverty come like a prowler.” Poverty does not appear overnight but creeps in like a thief. The lazy man, unaware or unbothered, suddenly finds his ruin complete. His need comes “like an armed man,” irresistible and devastating. Neglect, once tolerated, now conquers him entirely.
Bridges takes this principle further into the spiritual realm: “But let us look at the spiritual sluggard. If a neglected field is a melancholy sight, what is a neglected soul! Such a soul, when it is left to its own barrenness, instead of being sown with the seeds of grace becomes overgrown with thorns and nettles.” The spiritual life, like a vineyard, must be tended daily—through prayer, the Word, and obedience. If neglected, it becomes overrun with sin, unbelief, and worldly distraction.
Thus, Proverbs closes this section with a solemn warning: laziness may appear harmless in the moment, but its harvest is poverty, both material and spiritual. Diligence in work, discipline in life, and faithfulness in duty are the safeguards against ruin. The wise man learns this not by experience alone but by observation, taking to heart the lesson that neglect is one of sin’s most subtle destroyers.
