“Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.”
Separation from the wicked: 'Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.' 'Envy' (ayin qinah) means to desire to emulate, to aspire to be like. Despite the appearance of strength and success, the violent are not to be envied. 'Choose any of their ways' (bechir kol derachav) would mean to adopt their methods. The verse warns against the seductive attractiveness of the powerful. Wisdom requires discernment: seeing through the apparent success of wickedness to the emptiness and destruction it brings.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a note on this verse
0/2000
No notes on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!