Proverbs 24:23

"for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?"

Key Reflection

In first-century Palestine, this proverb warned against associating with wicked individuals, as their misdeeds could unexpectedly lead to one's own ruin. The original audience would have understood that such people posed a sudden and unpredictable threat, making it wise to avoid them and remain vigilant to prevent harm. This advice underscores the importance of discernment and warns about the insidious nature of sin and its potential to spread rapidly, often catching individuals off guard with devastating consequences.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Belong to the wise -Either “are fitting for the wise, addressed to them,” or (as in the superscriptions of many of the Psalms) “are written by the wise.” Most recent commentators take it in the latter sense, and look on it as indicating the beginning of a fresh section, containing proverbs not ascribed to Solomon’s authorship. Compare the introduction to Proverbs.

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