Proverbs 24:15

Proverbs 24:15, in plain English

Don't plot against someone living righteously; don't scheme to disturb their peace. Their goodness isn't a problem you need to solve.

Why it's here

The teacher addresses those tempted to resent or undermine good people. Maybe they're jealous, maybe they feel threatened by someone's integrity. The warning is direct: leave them alone.

Who's speaking

Solomon, defending the righteous and warning off would-be attackers.

Where it sits in the story

This reflects the persecution of the righteous throughout Scripture and God's repeated protection of His people—from the Psalms to Jesus's promise that the gates of hell won't prevail against the righteous.

The scholarly reading

Do not ambush the righteous person's home with intent to harm; do not violate their sanctuary.

Language and setting

The Hebrew 'arob (to lie in wait, to ambush) combined with 'dwelling' (naveh) creates an image of violated sanctuary. In ancient Near Eastern law and practice, the home represented inviolable space — even enemies had limited rights within domestic boundaries. The targeting of the righteous specifically — not merely any neighbor — suggests persecution rooted in moral antagonism: the wicked hate the righteous for embodying what they refuse to become.

Voice

The wisdom teacher, now explicitly defending the righteous against the wicked's predatory intentions.

Significance

This anticipates the Apostolic persecution accounts (Acts 12, 1 Peter 4:12-19) and Jesus's warning that the world will hate his followers precisely because they represent righteousness (John 15:18-19).

13Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

14Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.

15Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.

16For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.

17Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,

Read all of Proverbs 24 — If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength. Wisdom builds a house; by understanding it is established.