Proverbs 4:16

16 For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

Proverbs 4:16 in Other Translations

KJV
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
ESV
16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
NLT
16 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.
MSG
16 Evil people are restless unless they're making trouble; They can't get a good night's sleep unless they've made life miserable for somebody.
CSB
16 For they can't sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.

Proverbs 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 4:16

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief
Or they cannot sleep, as Jarchi and Gersom interpret it. Oftentimes they cannot sleep on their beds for devising mischief, their thoughts are so intensely set on contriving wicked schemes; and when they have so done, they cannot sleep until they have executed them; they are continually restless and uneasy day and night, like the troubled sea, constantly casting up mire and dirt. Who would keep such company as these? and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall;
into the snares and traps they lay for them, or into sin and calamity by it; the former of which they endeavour by all means to draw men into, and the latter is the unavoidable consequence of it. They imitate their father the devil, both delight in sin, and in the ruin of their fellow creatures; it is a sport to thereto do mischief, and they have no pleasure without it; see ( Proverbs 11:23 ) . What company are such!

Proverbs 4:16 In-Context

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 36:4; Micah 7:3; Micah 2:1
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