Proverbs
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:”
Proverbs 24:17
Proverbs 24:17 (KJV) speaks to loving enemies, humility, and vengefulness — words set in Proverbs, the Bible's book of practical wisdom. Read it unhurried, and let it become a prayer you return to.
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Verses that sit beside this one
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:”
Proverbs 25:21“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:9“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,”
Luke 6:27“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Micah 6:8“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
Matthew 5:44“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
Luke 6:35
Common questions
What does Proverbs 24:17 mean?
In the King James Version, Proverbs 24:17 reads: "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:" The verse speaks to loving enemies, humility, and vengefulness. To read it well, take it in the flow of Proverbs 24 rather than on its own, and let the words settle slowly — reading it aloud, or turning it into a short prayer, is often what makes its meaning land.
Is Proverbs 24:17 in the King James Version?
Yes. "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:" is Proverbs 24:17 in the King James Version (KJV), found in Proverbs chapter 24.
What are some related Bible verses to Proverbs 24:17?
Verses that sit beside Proverbs 24:17 include Proverbs 25:21, 1 Peter 3:9, and Luke 6:27. Reading them alongside Proverbs 24:17 deepens the theme of loving enemies.
How can I pray with Proverbs 24:17?
Read Proverbs 24:17 slowly, take a breath, and turn it into a short prayer in your own words — thanking God for what it promises, or asking for what it points to. Keep it somewhere you will see it today, and let it be a companion rather than a task to finish.