“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always.” Proverbs 23:17
As most of you know, Proverbs is a Book of contrasts. Here, Solomon compares the “envying of sinners” with “the fear of the Lord”. This helps us define biblically “words” and “phrases” so we can have a better understanding of His Word.
Consider the 1st half. We are not being warned against “sinning” like sinners. We already know that. We are admonished to not Envy, Desire, or Want to, “be” like them, “act” like them, or “have” what they have.
The 2nd half then becomes clearer as we do this. It is not preoccupied with the “sinner”, and this “life”, but with God and His Kingdom. Also, notice the word “always”. It puts the whole Verse into focus!