1-2 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

3-4 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5-6 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counsellors there is victory. Proverbs 24:1-6 (English Standard Version)

What state of mind can we fall into if we spend time looking at how wicked people go about life and business, ruthless, but so often with seeming outward success? (vs 1-2)

I suspect it's young men who are likely more vulnerable to this. Some young men in Italy may even have admired the mafia who looked wealthy and above the law. The father urges his son not to envy such people. Psalm 73 is an example of that. The writer said there: “Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.” (Psalm 73:1-4) Many people who resort to evil appear to prosper in the world. But what does the father say is the way to experience the best riches? (vs 3-4)

He uses the picture of a lovely home with well furnished rooms, and says it came about through wisdom, understanding and knowledge. He describes the house as being filled with 'pleasant riches'. I'd suggest that these are not firstly material riches, but rather the riches of family love, clear consciences and precious memories. Proverbs 15:16-17, in a paraphrased version, says: “It's better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.”

In other words, wisdom, understanding and knowledge are far better tools for building a good life than violence and other evil ways. The danger is of becoming envious of those who got rich quick through dishonest means. The Old Testament book called Ecclesiastes gives a nice illustration of this. It says: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) Wisdom, understanding and knowledge are like that triple-braided cord.

But the father mentions another thing that will help his son succeed in life, and perhaps it's what will help his son to grow in wisdom, understanding and knowledge. What is that? (vs 5-6)

He says that in an abundance of counsellors there is victory. In other words, if his son will be willing to take advice from those he knows to be wise and knowledgeable, he will be better prepared for the battles of life that are ahead. The very next verse in Ecclesiastes after the one about the triple-braided cord says: “It is better to be a poor but wise youth - than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.”

So two big traps to avoid in life are, firstly, to be jealous of those who choose wrong, and secondly, to be too proud to listen to those who can give us good advice. Many young people end up sadly because they won’t listen to the advice of loving parents. But many adults have ship wrecked their lives too because they would not take on board the wise things that Jesus Christ taught. Faith in Jesus Christ, obedience to His word, and the Holy Spirit living within us, are also a triple-braided cord that won't be easily broken.