Proverbs 4:17

17 They eat food obtained through wrongdoing and drink wine obtained through violence.

Proverbs 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 4:17

For they eat the bread of wickedness
Either that is gotten by wicked and unlawful means, or wickedness itself is bread unto them; it is that to their minds as bread is to their bodies; they feed upon it with as much eagerness, appetite, gust, and pleasure; it is a sweet morsel to them; it is meat, drink, sleep, and everything to them; they take the highest satisfaction and the utmost delight in it; and drink the wine of violence:
either that which is obtained by rapine and violence; or they as greedily commit such acts of oppression and injury as a man drinks a glass of wine; they do not drink up iniquity like water only, but even like wine, the most generous and delicious. Wherefore all society with such men should be avoided.

Proverbs 4:17 In-Context

15 Avoid it. Do not walk near it. Turn away from it, and keep on walking.

16 Wicked people cannot sleep unless they do wrong, and they are robbed of their sleep unless they make someone stumble.

17 They eat food obtained through wrongdoing and drink wine obtained through violence.

18 But the path of righteous people is like the light of dawn that becomes brighter and brighter until it reaches midday.

19 The way of wicked people is like deep darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble.