Proverbs 4:17

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of 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, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

16 For they do not sleep, unless they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause someone to fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the just is as the light of the morning star, that shines more and more until the day is perfect.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness; they do not know in what they stumble.