Proverbs 3:31 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Don't be jealous of those who hurt others, and don't copy any of their ways.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse warns us not to envy violent or cruel people or imitate their behavior, even if they seem successful.

📚 Historical Context

This proverb was written during a time when Israel often saw neighboring nations prosper through violence, conquest, and oppression of the weak. King Solomon and other wisdom writers observed how people could be tempted to admire or copy the methods of those who gained power through harmful means.

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Romans 13:13

Let's live with integrity like we're in broad daylight — no wild partying or getting wasted, no hooking up with whoever or being reckless with our bodies, no drama or being jealous of what others have.

Romans 13:9

All those commandments — don't cheat on your partner, don't kill people, don't steal, don't lie about others, don't be jealous of what they have — basically every rule God gave us can be summed up in one thing: love your neighbor the same way you love yourself.

Galatians 5:20

Worshipping other things instead of God, getting into dark spiritual stuff, hating people, starting drama, being jealous of what others have, explosive anger, picking fights, stirring up trouble, and twisting the truth to fit your own agenda.

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