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

14Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. 15Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving. 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. 17They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence! 18The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of 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 1:16They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder.
• Psalms 36:4They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil.
• Isaiah 57:20“But those who still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt.
• Micah 2:1What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so.
• Luke 22:66At daybreak all the elders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. Jesus was led before this high council,
• John 18:28Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover.
• 2 Peter 2:14They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s 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