New King James Version
Proverbs 4:16
16For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
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 Living Translation (NLT)For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
Context of Proverbs 4:16
14Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 15Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
Read all of Proverbs 4Proverbs 4:16 word by word
כִּ֤י לֹ֣א יִֽ֭שְׁנוּ אִם־לֹ֣א יָרֵ֑עוּ וְֽנִגְזְלָ֥ה שְׁ֝נָתָ֗ם אִם־לֹ֥א יַכְשִֽׁילוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 4:16
- Proverbs 1:16For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.
- Psalms 36:4He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.
- Isaiah 57:20But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
- Micah 2:1Woe to those who devise iniquity, And work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, Because it is in the power of their hand.
- Luke 22:66As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying,
- John 18:28Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.
- 2 Peter 2:14having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.
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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries