Proverbs 4:17

17 comedunt panem impietatis et vinum iniquitatis bibunt

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 fuge ab ea ne transeas per illam declina et desere eam
16 non enim dormiunt nisi malefecerint et rapitur somnus ab eis nisi subplantaverint
17 comedunt panem impietatis et vinum iniquitatis bibunt
18 iustorum autem semita quasi lux splendens procedit et crescit usque ad perfectam diem
19 via impiorum tenebrosa nesciunt ubi corruant
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.