Proverbs 4:17

17 They eat the food 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 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.

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.

17 They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!

18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.