Proverbs 13:9

9 The lives of good people are brightly lit streets; the lives of the wicked are dark alleys.

Proverbs 13:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 13:9

The light of the righteous rejoiceth
The light of joy and gladness, which is sown for them, and arises to them; the light of spiritual knowledge and experience they have; the light of sound doctrine; the light of good works, and a Gospel conversation; all this, as it is delightful to themselves and others, so it is increasing more and more to the perfect day, and it continues: so the Septuagint and Arabic versions, "light [is] always for the righteous"; especially it will be in the latter day, and particularly in the New Jerusalem state, when there will be no night, ( Revelation 21:23-25 ) ; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out;
the light of the righteous is like that of the sun, bright and pleasant; but the light of the wicked is like that of a lamp, lesser and not so agreeable, nor will it last; their prosperity is short lived, their joy is but for a moment; the pleasures of sin are but for a season; their candle soon goes out; it is put out in obscure darkness, and they themselves are reserved to blackness of darkness, ( Job 18:5 Job 18:6 ) ( 20:5 ) ( Proverbs 20:20 ) ; as prosperous and flourishing as the kingdom of antichrist has been or is, it will be full of darkness, ( Revelation 16:12 ) .

Proverbs 13:9 In-Context

7 A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.
8 The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the poor are free of such threats.
9 The lives of good people are brightly lit streets; the lives of the wicked are dark alleys.
10 Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other's counsel.
11 Easy come, easy go, but steady diligence pays off.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.