Proverbs 24:21
19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.
- KJV
- My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
- WEB
- My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,
- ASV
- My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; [And] company not with them that are given to change:
- DARBY
- My son, fear Jehovah and the king: meddle not with them that are given to change.
- BLB
- Fear YHWH, my son, and the king; do not pledge yourself with ones who change,
- ÅB
- Frykt Herren, min sønn, og kongen! Med folk som setter seg opp mot dem, må du ikke ha noe å gjøre;
- OTB
- Frykt Herren og kongen, min sønn, og omgi deg ikke med de opprørske,
- B1930
- Frykt Herren, min sønn, og kongen! Med folk som setter sig op mot dem, må du ikke ha noget å gjøre;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Romans 13:1–7
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Read in context1 Peter 2:13–17
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Read in contextTitus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Read in context1 Kings 12:16
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
Read in contextExodus 14:31
And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
Read in contextMatthew 22:21
They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 8:2–5
I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
Read in context1 Samuel 12:12–19
And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.
Read in context