Psalms 37:1-4 Chapter 37 1 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, Neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on `his' faithfulness. 4 Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart.

Envy can damage the life of a Christian. A feeling of displeasure about someone else’s good fortune can also harm a believer’s witness, since it often causes people to act out of hostility and bitterness. And the jealous person suffers far more than his or her target.

Before we can rid ourselves of envious feelings, we must be willing to confess we have them in our heart. Like greed, jealousy is an emotion we don’t like to admit we feel, but the Lord already knows. We also must realize that harboring envy is the same as objecting to God’s blessing upon someone else’s life. Regardless of how we try to rationalize such feelings, we are in conflict with the Lord—a person cannot be simultaneously jealous and right with Him.

The surest way to strip away resentment is through prayer. After we’ve confessed to the Lord that we have jealous feelings, we must begin to pray for the other person. Our petition should contain two elements: first, an offering of thanksgiving for the blessings in his or her life, and second, a request that God will place love for the individual in our heart. Initially, praying in this way will no doubt be difficult, but as love grows—and it will—you’ll find the words come more easily and joyfully.

Envy is inappropriate for followers of Christ since it distracts us from the Lord. We have the promise that if we delight in our heavenly Father, He will give us the desires of our heart. So we need to refocus our attention upon Him and what He is doing in our own life.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 13-15 Chapter 13 1 A wise son `heareth' his father's instruction; But a scoffer heareth not rebuke. 2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherous `shall eat' violence. 3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; `But' he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. 4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 5 A righteous man hateth lying; But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 6 Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way; But wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth. 8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening. 9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth; But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 10 By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom. 11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; But he that gathereth by labor shall have increase. 12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 13 Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself; But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death. 15 Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard. 16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth `his' folly. 17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil; But a faithful ambassador is health. 18 Poverty and shame `shall be to' him that refuseth correction; But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored. 19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20 Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it. 21 Evil pursueth sinners; But the righteous shall be recompensed with good. 22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous. 23 Much food `is in' the tillage of the poor; But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice. 24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son; But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul; But the belly of the wicked shall want. Chapter 14 1 Every wise woman buildeth her house; But the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands. 2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for `his' pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them. 4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox. 5 A faithful witness will not lie; But a false witness uttereth lies. 6 A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and `findeth it' not; But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding. 7 Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive `in him' the lips of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit. 9 A trespass-offering mocketh fools; But among the upright there is good will. 10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness; And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy. 11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; But the tent of the upright shall flourish. 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of mirth is heaviness. 14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; And a good man `shall be satisfied' from himself. 15 The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going. 16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident. 17 He that is soon angry will deal foolishly; And a man of wicked devices is hated. 18 The simple inherit folly; But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil bow down before the good; And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous. 20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbor; But the rich hath many friends. 21 He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth; But he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he. 22 Do they not err that devise evil? But mercy and truth `shall be to' them that devise good. 23 In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips `tendeth' only to penury. 24 The crown of the wise is their riches; `But' the folly of fools is `only' folly. 25 A true witness delivereth souls; But he that uttereth lies `causeth' deceit. 26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence; And his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death. 28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory; But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. 29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 30 A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh; But envy is the rottenness of the bones. 31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him. 32 The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing; But the righteous hath a refuge in his death. 33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But `that which is' in the inward part of fools is made known. 34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people. 35 The king's favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; But his wrath will be `against' him that causeth shame. Chapter 15 1 A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly. 3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good. 4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit. 5 A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence. 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish `doeth' not so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; `And' he that hateth reproof shall die. 11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men! 12 A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise. 13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart `hath' a continual feast. 16 Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway. 20 A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going. 22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it! 24 To the wise the way of life `goeth' upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath. 25 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow. 26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words `are' pure. 27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live. 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29 Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; `And' good tidings make the bones fat. 31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise. 32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor `goeth' humility.