Proverbs 4:16

Proverbs 4:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
• New International Version (NIV)For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.

Context of Proverbs 4:16

14Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not go the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumble and fall. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.

Proverbs 4:16 word by word

כִּ֤י לֹ֣א יִֽ֭שְׁנוּ אִם־לֹ֣א יָרֵ֑עוּ וְֽנִגְזְלָ֥ה שְׁ֝נָתָ֗ם אִם־לֹ֥א יַכְשִֽׁילוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For they sleepיָשֵׁןyâshên · to sleepH3462
• not, except they have done mischiefרָעַעrâ‛a‛ · be evilH7489
• and their sleepשֵׁנָהshênâh shênâ' · sleepH8142
• is taken awayגָּזַלgâzal · to plunderH1497
• to fallכָּשַׁלkâshal · to stumbleH3782

Cross-references for Proverbs 4:16

• Proverbs 1:16For their feet run to evil, And they hurry to shed blood.
• Psalms 36:4He plans wrongdoing on his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not reject or despise evil.
• Isaiah 57:20But the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet, And its waters toss up mire and mud.
• Micah 2:1Woe (judgment is coming) to those who devise wickedness And plot evil on their beds! When morning comes, they practice evil Because it is in the power of their hands.
• Luke 22:66When day came, the Council of the elders of the people (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) assembled, both chief priests and scribes; and they led Jesus away to the council chamber, saying,
• John 18:28Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium (governor’s palace). Now it was early and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium so that they would not be [ceremonially] unclean, but might [be able to] eat [and participate in the Feast of Unleavened Bread which began after] the Passover [supper].
• 2 Peter 2:14They have eyes full of adultery, constantly looking for sin, enticing and luring away unstable souls. Having hearts trained in greed, [they are] children of a curse.

Commentaries on Proverbs 4:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Except they have done mischief - The night is their time for spoil and depredation. And they must gain some booty, before they go to rest. This I believe to be the meaning of the passage. I grant, also, that there may be some of so malevolent a disposition that they cannot be easy unless they can injure others, and are put to excessive pain when they perceive any man in prosperity, or receiving a kindness. The address in Virgil, to an illnatured shepherd…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4-20Verses 4-20 The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 4:7 Or, “The beginning of wisdom is - get wisdom.” To seek is to find, to desire is to obtain. Proverbs 4:12 The ever-recurring parable of the journey of life. In the way of wisdom the path is clear and open, obstacles disappear; in the quickest activity (“when thou…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-27Verses 14-27 The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there they shall shine as the sun…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16The wicked stay up at night to plan evil deeds (Psalm 36:4; Micah 2:1).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-1716-17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted (Pr 6:4; Psa 36:5). They live by flagrant vices (Pr 1:13). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16; 34:7).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 4:16

• Malice
• Wicked (People)
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Diligence
• Getting
• Hold
• Look
• Ponder
• Principal
• Promote
• Right
• Stumble
• Hezekiah (2)

Commentaries on Proverbs 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings