Logos Bible Study

Proverbs 24:16–17

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24:16Although28 a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again,

but the wicked will be brought down29 by calamity.

24:17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,30

and when he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice,

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Footnotes

  1. 28 The clause beginning with כִּי (ki) could be interpreted as causal or conditional; but in view of the significance of the next clause it seems better to take it as a concessive clause (“although”). Its verb then receives a modal nuance of possibility. The apodosis is then “and he rises up,” which could be a participle or a perfect tense; although he may fall, he gets up (or, will get up). The righteous may suffer adversity or misfortune any number of times—seven times here—but they will “rise” for virtue triumphs over evil in the end (R. N. Whybray, Proverbs [], 140).
  2. 29 The verb could be translated with an English present tense (“are brought down,” so ) to express what happens to the wicked in this life; but since the saying warns against being like the wicked, their destruction is more likely directed to the future.
  3. 30 The saying (vv. 17, 18) warns against gloating over the misfortune of one’s enemies. The prohibition is formed with two negated jussives “do not rejoice” and “let not be glad,” the second qualified by “your heart” as the subject, signifying the inner satisfaction of such a defeat.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,

but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,

and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,

NIVNew International Version (2011)

for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,

but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Do not gloat when your enemy falls;

when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Though a righteous person falls seven times,

he will get up,

but the wicked will stumble into ruin.

Don’t gloat when your enemy falls,

and don’t let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,

NLTNew Living Translation

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;

don’t be happy when they stumble.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For seven times the righteous will fall, but he will rise,

but the wicked will be overthrown by calamity.

While your enemies are falling, do not rejoice;

when he trips himself, may your heart not be glad

KJV 1900King James Version

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:

But the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth,

And let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: