Proverbs 24:19

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Proverbs 24:19 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked.

King James Version KJV

Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

American Standard Version ASV

Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked:

Bible in Basic English BBE

Do not be troubled because of evil-doers, or have envy of sinners:

Free Bible Version FBV

Don't get all upset over the wicked, or be jealous of those who do wrong,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Fret not thy selfe because of the malicious, neither be enuious at the wicked.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Fret not thyself at evil doers, Be not envious at the wicked,

World English Bible WEB

Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Fret not thyself because of evil men , neither be thou envious at the wicked;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the ungodly:

Translation for Translators T4T

Do not become angry/upset about those who do what is evil, and do not [SYN] envy them,

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 24:19

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Proverbs 24:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB אַל תִּתְחַ֥ר בַּ/מְּרֵעִ֑ים אַל תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א בָּ/רְשָׁעִֽים

אַל ʼal H408 not Part

תִּתְחַ֥ר chârâh H2734 to be incensed V-Hithpael-Juss-2ms

בַּ/מְּרֵעִ֑ים râʻaʻ H7489 be evil Prep | V-Hiphil

אַל ʼal H408 not Part

תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א qânâʼ H7065 be jealous V-Piel-Juss-2ms

בָּ/רְשָׁעִֽים râshâʻ H7563 wicked Prep | Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 24:19

אַל ʼal H408 "not" Part

Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.

Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.

תִּתְחַ֥ר chârâh H2734 "to be incensed" V-Hithpael-Juss-2ms

To be incensed means to be very angry or furious, like a fire burning. It describes strong emotions like anger, zeal, or jealousy, and is used to express intense feelings in the Bible.

Definition: 1) to be hot, furious, burn, becomeangry, be kindled 1a) (Qal) to burn, kindle (anger) 1b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed 1c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle 1d) (Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation

Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: be angry, burn, be displeased, [idiom] earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, [idiom] very, be wroth. See H8474 (תַּחָרָה). See also: Genesis 4:5; 1 Samuel 15:11; Psalms 18:8.

בַּ/מְּרֵעִ֑ים râʻaʻ H7489 "be evil" Prep | V-Hiphil

This word means to shatter or break something into pieces, making it useless or bad. It can also mean to afflict or displease someone.

Definition: 1) to be bad, be evil 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to be displeasing 1a2) to be sad 1a3) to be injurious, be evil 1a4) to be wicked, be evil (ethically) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to do an injury or hurt 1b2) to do evil or wickedly 1b3) mischief (participle)

Usage: Occurs in 99 OT verses. KJV: afflict, associate selves (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), break (down, in pieces), [phrase] displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, [idiom] indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse. See also: Genesis 19:7; Psalms 27:2; Psalms 2:9.

אַל ʼal H408 "not" Part

Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.

תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א qânâʼ H7065 "be jealous" V-Piel-Juss-2ms

To be jealous means to feel envious or resentful of someone or something, often because of a perceived threat or rivalry. In the Bible, jealousy is sometimes portrayed as a negative emotion, as in the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis.

Definition: 1) to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to be jealous of 1a2) to be envious of 1a3) to be zealous for 1a4) to excite to jealous anger 1b) (Hiphil) to provoke to jealous anger, cause jealousy

Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (be) envy(-ious), be (move to, provoke to) jealous(-y), [idiom] very, (be) zeal(-ous). See also: Genesis 26:14; Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3.

בָּ/רְשָׁעִֽים râshâʻ H7563 "wicked" Prep | Adj

This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.

Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)

Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.

Study Notes — Proverbs 24:19

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Proverbs 24:19 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 24:19
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 24:19
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 24:19
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 24:19
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 24:19
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 24:19
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 24:19
Sermons on Proverbs 24:19

Context — Saying 29

17Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, 18or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

19Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked.

20For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. 21My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 119:115	Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.
2	Psalms 37:1	Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong.
3	Proverbs 23:17	Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.
4	Proverbs 24:1	Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;
5	Proverbs 13:20	He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
6	Psalms 1:1	Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
7	Psalms 73:3	For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
8	Psalms 26:4–5	I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked.
9	Numbers 16:26	And he warned the congregation, “Move away now from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins.”
10	2 Timothy 3:2–5	For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!

Proverbs 24:19 Summary

This verse reminds us not to worry or be jealous of people who are doing bad things, because God is in control and will ultimately bring justice. It's easy to get caught up in feeling upset or envious when we see wicked people prospering, but this verse encourages us to trust in God's goodness and justice instead, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7. By focusing on our relationship with God and trusting in His sovereignty, we can find peace and contentment, even in difficult circumstances. We can also remember that God's timing and justice are perfect, and that He will ultimately bring evil to an end, as stated in Proverbs 24:20.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I not fret over evildoers?

We should not fret over evildoers because God is in control and will ultimately bring justice, as seen in Proverbs 24:20 and Psalm 37:7-9. Fretting can lead to anxiety and distract us from trusting in God's sovereignty.

Is it wrong to feel upset when I see wicked people prospering?

While it's natural to feel upset, Proverbs 24:19 warns against envying the wicked, reminding us that their prosperity is temporary and fleeting, as stated in Psalm 73:18-20. Instead, we should focus on trusting in God's goodness and justice.

How can I practically apply this verse in my daily life?

To apply this verse, we can practice gratitude, focusing on the blessings in our lives rather than comparing ourselves to others, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. We can also pray for those who are doing evil, asking God to bring them to repentance and salvation, as seen in Matthew 5:44.

Does this verse mean I should not care about injustice?

No, this verse does not mean we should be apathetic towards injustice. Instead, it encourages us to trust in God's justice and timing, as seen in Proverbs 24:18, and to prioritize our relationship with Him, rather than getting caught up in fretting or envy.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can shift my focus away from fretting over evildoers and towards trusting in God's sovereignty?
How can I cultivate a heart of gratitude and contentment, even when I see others prospering in wickedness?
What are some practical ways I can pray for those who are doing evil, and how can I trust that God is working in their lives?
In what ways can I prioritize my relationship with God and trust in His justice, rather than getting caught up in fretting or envy?

Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 24:19

Fret not thyself because of evil [men],.... Because of their outward prosperity and worldly happiness, any more than rejoice at their adversity; neither do the one nor the other; where the one

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 24:19

Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; Fret not thyself ... neither be thou envious at the wicked - (Proverbs 24:1; Proverbs 23:17; Psalms 37:1; Psalms 37:7.)

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 24:19

Fret not thyself; which translation of the word is confirmed by the parallel word in the following clause. Because of evil men; for their present impunity and good success.

Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 24:19

Proverbs 24:19 Fret not thyself because of evil [men], neither be thou envious at the wicked;Ver. 19. Fret not thyself because of evil men.] We are wondrous apt to be sick of the fret; hence so many precepts to this purpose. See Proverbs 23:17; Proverbs 24:1.

Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 24:19

(19) Fret not thyself because of evil men—i.e., at the sight of their prosperity, the same difficulty which occurred to the Psalmist (Psalms 37:1). (Comp. also Psalms 73:3 and Jeremiah 12:1.)

Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 24:19

19. Comp. Psalms 37:1; Psalms 37:7.

Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 24:19

19. Fret not thyself — Be not excited, enraged. This proverb may be related to the preceding.

Sermons on Proverbs 24:19

	Sermon	Description
	Keeping Your Spirit Focused by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the preacher encourages the audience not to worry or be envious of those who do wrong. He emphasizes the temporary nature of evil and compares it to withering grass
	(Proverbs) ch.24:1 - 34 by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen emphasizes the dangers of worldliness and the importance of wisdom in building our lives and communities. He warns against the gradual intoxication of our hearts by worl
	Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord! by C.H. Spurgeon	C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the necessity of God's constant presence in our lives, urging believers to continually pray, 'Do not forsake me, O Lord!' He illustrates that just as a chi
	(Belarus) God Has Risen to Defend His Name by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes God's promises of provision and protection for his people. He highlights that God has promised that his people will never have to beg for br
	An Old Doctor's Spiritual Prescription by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the fear and worry that people experience in a world filled with tension and uncertainty. He emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's pr
	Blessed Are the Meek by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5, which describe the characteristics of a blessed life. He emphasizes that these qualities reflect confor
	The Devil's Twins - Fret and Fear by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker expresses his frustration and anger towards a wicked and vile man. He talks about reaching a breaking point and wanting to take action against this pers