17 Have no envy of sinners in your heart, but keep in the fear of the Lord all through the day;
Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.
Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example.
<Of David.> Do not be angry because of the wrongdoers, or have envy of the workers of evil. For they will quickly be cut down like grass, and become dry like the green plants. Have faith in the Lord, and do good; be at rest in the land, and go after righteousness.
Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers. For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong. They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men. For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe. Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
If you see the poor under a cruel yoke, and law and right being violently overturned in a country, be not surprised, because one authority is keeping watch on another and there are higher than they.
This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man. God will be judge of every work, with every secret thing, good or evil.
Because God, then, will give us such rewards, dear brothers, let us make ourselves clean from all evil of flesh and spirit, and become completely holy in the fear of God.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 23
Commentary on Proverbs 23 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 23
Pro 23:1-3
The sin we are here warned against is luxury and sensuality, and the indulgence of the appetite in eating and drinking, a sin that most easily besets us.
Pro 23:4-5
As some are given to appetite (v. 2) so others to covetousness, and those Solomon here takes to task. Men cheat themselves as much by setting their hearts on money (though it seems most substantial) as by setting them on dainties. Observe,
Pro 23:6-8
Those that are voluptuous and given to appetite (v. 2) are glad to be where there is good cheer stirring, and those that are covetous and saving, that they may spare at home, will be glad to get a dinner at another man's table; and therefore both are here advised not to be forward to accept of every man's invitation, but especially not to thrust themselves in uninvited. Observe,
Pro 23:9
We are here directed not to cast pearls before swine (Mt. 7:6) and not to expose things sacred to the contempt and ridicule of profane scoffers. It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of divine things; but,
Pro 23:10-11
Note,
Pro 23:12-16
Here is,
Pro 23:17-18
Here is,
Pro 23:19-28
Here is good advice for parents to give to their children; words are put into their mouths, that they may train them up in the way they should go. Here we have,
Pro 23:29-35
Solomon here gives fair warning against the sin of drunkenness, to confirm what he had said, v. 20.