Proverbs 24:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

NIV: for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

NASB: For a righteous person falls seven times and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of disaster.

CSB: Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.

NLT: The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

KJV: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

NKJV: For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

Here, Solomon expresses confidence that godly people can recover from setbacks. Those who do evil fall when struck by adversity. In an earthly sense, this is generally true yet not an absolute guarantee (Psalm 73:2–3). In an eternal sense, however, this principle is universal. Those who reject God are inescapably doomed when this life is over (Proverbs 11:4; 16:4). Honoring God and His will leads to wisdom (Proverbs 8:12–14; 14:32) which draws a person towards salvation (Proverbs 1:7; 15:24; 23:23 James 1:5; John 14:6). The person claiming Christ's righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) can be forgiven of any moral stumbles (1 John 1:9; Matthew 12:31; John 3:16–18; Jude 1:24–25).

The book of Daniel includes two dramatic, miraculous examples of this idea. Evil did not prevail when Daniel's three friends were tossed into a fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a colossal idol (Daniel 3). God protected them so well that there was not a trace of smoke on them. Evil did not prevail against Daniel when he was thrown into a den of hungry lions because he prayed to the Lord instead of to the king (Daniel 6). King Darius commanded that Daniel's accusers be thrown to the lions, and he acknowledged that Daniel's God was the living, eternal, and almighty God. The book of Esther, also, describes God's people rebounding from trouble while their enemies fall.

Proverbs 24:13–22 gives practical advice to Solomon's son, or student. This passage includes the last five of thirty wise teachings endorsed by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21). Godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) is something to be savored and enjoyed. A wise person is not violent nor predatory; he does not gloat over a defeated enemy. The reader is again reminded not to be jealous or fearful of evil people, as they are subject to God's judgment.

Solomon continues to list wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21), rounding out his promised list of thirty teachings. These endorse integrity, accepting good advice, reputation, and ethical actions. The lessons also stress godly attitudes about vengeance, bitterness, and companionship. After verse 23 come additional proverbs. These may or may not have been Solomon's own words, but at least some appear to be his thoughts. Key points in these verses are the need for impartiality in judgment, godly reputation, and work ethic.

This chapter continues thirty sayings of wise people (Proverbs 22:17–21), as collected and endorsed by Solomon. The remainder of the passage are additional wise statements, which are not as clearly attributed. Some of the lessons are framed as warnings, followed by reasons. The lessons contained here are more detailed than most of the proverbs in this book.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.