Proverbs 24:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

NIV: for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.

NASB: For their minds plot violence, And their lips talk of trouble.

CSB: for their hearts plan violence, and their words stir up trouble.

NLT: For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble.

KJV: For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

NKJV: For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.

The nineteenth of Solomon's thirty wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) is completed here. The prior verse delivered another warning against close association with wicked people (Proverbs 24:1). This is a theme often echoed in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 1:10–15; 13:20). In an equivalent way, it's not good to be jealous of what people attain through evil means (Proverbs 23:17–18). Any such benefits are shallow, temporary, and self-defeating (Proverbs 11:4, 7; 21:12). Those who ignore godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) invent evil plans. They discuss those plots with others; eventually, they act on those impulses. That brings consequences and ultimately ruin (Proverbs 6:12–15; 16:27).

The Bible also notes that all people grapple with their sin nature. Jeremiah 17:9 describes the heart as "deceitful above all things, and desperately sick." Paul notes that to avoid every speck of contact with sin would require believers to leave the world (1 Corinthians 5:9–10). Yet some people aggressively embrace their sin. Genesis 6:5 discloses that the hearts of human beings who lived before the flood were full of evil continually. Consequently, God, who knows the heart, destroyed that civilization with a flood.

Only Jesus, the Great Physician, can transform the heart into one acceptable to God: one that loves Him and obeys Him. The apostle Paul points to the change of heart that believers experience. He writes in Romans 6:17–18: "But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness."

Proverbs 24:1–12 exhorts Solomon's son, or student, not to be jealous of immoral people or desire their friendship. Solomon contrasts godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) with foolishness and calls upon his son to rescue those who are unjustly oppressed. Failing to do so, under the all-seeing eyes of the Lord, cannot be excused. This continues a series of wise sayings endorsed by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21).

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.