Proverbs 24:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

NIV: or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.

NASB: Otherwise, the Lord will see and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him.

CSB: or the Lord will see, be displeased, and turn his wrath away from him.

NLT: For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.

KJV: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

NKJV: Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.

Appreciating God's justice is different from being gleeful when other people feel pain (Proverbs 17:5; 24:17). The prior verse notes that it is a sin to gloat—to celebrate or find pleasure in—the suffering of one's enemy. Here, that idea is emphasized by suggesting that God might lessen His harshness against an enemy in response to a sneering, sinful happiness over their fate. The idea is not that God will forget someone else's sins. Rather, it reiterates the idea that taking pleasure in a "wicked" person's suffering is, itself, wickedness. If both sides are wicked, why expect God to actively favor one over the other?

Instead of gloating over an enemy's trouble, believers ought to show compassion and try to lead them to repentance and faith. The wicked are like any other non-believer. Scripture compares them to lost sheep. Like the Good Shepherd, believers should endeavor to find those who are lost (Matthew 28:19–20; Luke 19:10) and bring them to God (Luke 15:4–7). Ezekiel 18:21–22 quotes the Lord as saying, "But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live." The following verse explains that the Lord doesn't enjoy it when people suffer, even for their own sins; He would rather they repent and be saved (Ezekiel 18:23).

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.