Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
This verse is the second half of a two-verse warning in Proverbs — an ancient Hebrew book of wisdom often attributed to King Solomon, Israel's famously wise ruler — about how to respond when someone who has wronged you faces consequences. Verse 17 says don't rejoice when your enemy stumbles. Verse 18 gives the reason: if God sees you gloating, he may actually pull back his discipline from your enemy as a way of correcting your heart instead. It's a humbling reversal — your quiet celebration of justice can become the greater offense in God's eyes. This verse is less about protecting your enemy and more about exposing what lives in you.
God, I don't always want mercy for the people who've hurt me. I want justice, and sometimes I want to watch it happen. Forgive me for the bitterness I dress up as righteousness. Soften what's hard in me, and help me want what you want — even for them. Amen.
There's a particular satisfaction — private, quiet, maybe a little guilty — when the person who hurt you finally seems to get what they deserve. Most of us don't say it out loud. We might call it 'justice' or 'God working things out.' But somewhere underneath there's something that feels like relief. Or maybe, if we're honest, a little like winning. Proverbs doesn't let that stay comfortable. God is watching — not just your enemy's downfall, but your reaction to it. And the troubling implication of this verse is that your gloating heart might actually prompt him to show mercy where you wanted judgment. Not because your enemy earned grace, but because your bitterness needs correction more than their situation needs resolution. That's a hard mirror to look into. But it's an honest one.
What do you think it reveals about human nature that Scripture has to specifically warn us not to celebrate when our enemies suffer?
Is there someone in your life whose hardship you've quietly felt satisfied about? What does this verse stir up in you about that?
This verse suggests our inner attitude can affect how God acts in a situation — how do you wrestle with that idea, and does it sit comfortably or uncomfortably with you?
How does holding onto bitterness or a quiet desire for revenge affect your relationships with the people around you, not just with your enemy?
What would it look like to genuinely pray for someone whose pain you've secretly welcomed — and what is one step toward doing that this week?
And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
Genesis 38:10
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
Micah 7:8
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 17:5
Or the LORD will see your gloating and be displeased, And turn His anger away from your enemy.
AMP
lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
ESV
Or the LORD will see [it] and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him.
NASB
or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.
NIV
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.
NKJV
For the LORD will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.
NLT
God might see, and become very provoked, and then take pity on his plight.
MSG