Pro 24:15 | MHM | STEP | The Futility of Attacking the Righteous This section is written more as a message of encouragement to good people than as advice to the wicked. It shows that evil people often plot against the righteous and believe they will succeed. But in the end, their plans will fail. The righteous may face many troubles, but God helps them recover. Meanwhile, the wicked will eventually be destroyed by their own evil actions. v. 15 : Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place . Evil people may plan to harm the homes and lives of the righteous, waiting for a chance to attack them. They hope to take advantage of the righteous when they seem weak or in trouble, believing they can destroy them easily. This hostility comes from the ongoing conflict between good and evil—the “seed of the serpent” hating the “seed of the woman” (Genesis 3:15 ). But these plans are ultimately foolish. The Bible warns the wicked, “Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not plunder his resting place” (Proverbs 24:15 ). Evil people may try to harm or trap those who do right, but their plans will not succeed in the end. God protects the righteous, even when others plot against them (Psalm 59:title ). “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity” (Proverbs 24:16 ). People who trust God may have many troubles, but they will recover and stand again because God helps them. Even if the righteous fall into sin or suffering, they can repent and find mercy. However, the wicked will fall into disaster and will not be able to get up again. Their own sins will destroy them, while God lifts up those who follow Him.

‏ Proverbs 24:15

The Futility of Attacking the Righteous

This section is written more as a message of encouragement to good people than as advice to the wicked. It shows that evil people often plot against the righteous and believe they will succeed. But in the end, their plans will fail. The righteous may face many troubles, but God helps them recover. Meanwhile, the wicked will eventually be destroyed by their own evil actions.

v. 15: Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place. Evil people may plan to harm the homes and lives of the righteous, waiting for a chance to attack them. They hope to take advantage of the righteous when they seem weak or in trouble, believing they can destroy them easily. This hostility comes from the ongoing conflict between good and evil—the “seed of the serpent” hating the “seed of the woman” (Genesis 3:15 ^a). But these plans are ultimately foolish.

The Bible warns the wicked, “Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not plunder his resting place” (Proverbs 24:15 ^b). Evil people may try to harm or trap those who do right, but their plans will not succeed in the end. God protects the righteous, even when others plot against them (Psalm 59:title ^c).

“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity” (Proverbs 24:16 ^d). People who trust God may have many troubles, but they will recover and stand again because God helps them. Even if the righteous fall into sin or suffering, they can repent and find mercy. However, the wicked will fall into disaster and will not be able to get up again. Their own sins will destroy them, while God lifts up those who follow Him.