Proverbs 23:17 Let not your heart envy sinners: but be you in the fear of the LORD all the day long. I. WHAT IS IT IN SINNERS THAT WE ARE APT TO ENVY? 1. Many sinners have much money. Riches are not necessary to any man. Still, human nature is so weak and so corrupt that but few men can look at the wealthy without envying them. 2. Sometimes the wicked seem to have a great deal of pleasure. Take their word for it, and no people are so happy. Those who have not health, or money, or time thus to live at ease, are very apt to envy these lovers of pleasure. 3. Some sinners seem to get many of the honours of life. They seek the honour that cometh from man, and they have their reward. Silly people stand off and admire and envy. 4. Some envy the wicked for their apparent freedom from restraint. The law of God does not bind them any further than suits themselves. To a carnal mind this looks like a fine way of getting through the world, and the foolish envy these lawless ones. 5. Sometimes sinners seem to be, and for a long time are, free from afflictions, which so much distress the righteous. II. THERE IS NO GOOD GROUND FOB PREFERRING THE STATE OF SINNERS. There is really no Divine blessing permanently resting on the wicked, as there is on the righteous. There is also a sad amount of alloy mixed up with all that sinners have. The passions of sinners are at war with each other and with mankind. The devices of the wicked will ruin them. The wicked are not without smitings of conscience. All nature is armed against the wicked. Instead of envying sinners, pity them and pray for them. Let the righteous show that they are pleased with the choice which they have made. (W. S. Plumer, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.WEB: Don't let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all the day long. |
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