Proverbs 23:17

The Message

Don’t for a minute envy careless rebels; soak yourself in the Fear-of-God— That’s where your future lies. Then you won’t be left with an armload of nothing.

Cross References

Proverbs 15:16

A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.

Proverbs 24:1

Don’t envy bad people; don’t even want to be around them. All they think about is causing a disturbance; all they talk about is making trouble.

Proverbs 24:19

Don’t bother your head with braggarts or wish you could succeed like the wicked. Those people have no future at all; they’re headed down a dead-end street.

Proverbs 24:21

Fear God, dear child—respect your leaders; don’t be defiant or mutinous. Without warning your life can turn upside down, and who knows how or when it might happen?

Proverbs 28:14

A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life.

Ecclesiastes 5:6

Don’t let your mouth make a total sinner of you. When called to account, you won’t get by with “Sorry, I didn’t mean it.” Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation?

Ecclesiastes 5:7

But against all illusion and fantasy and empty talk There’s always this rock foundation: Fear God!

Acts 9:31

Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country—Judea, Samaria, Galilee—the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully.

2 Corinthians 7:1

With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.

1 Peter 1:17

You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.