Proverbs 4:16

Verse

For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

American Standard Version (1901)

For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

For they take no rest till they have done evil; their sleep is taken away if they have not been the cause of someone's fall.

Douay-Rheims 1899

For they sleep not except they have done evil: and their sleep is taken away unless they have made some to fall.

Free Bible Version

Evil people won't rest until they've done something wrong; they can't sleep unless they've tripped someone up.

Geneva Bible 1599

For they can not sleepe, except they haue done euill, and their sleepe departeth except they cause some to fall.

King James (Authorized) Version

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

One Unity Resource Bible

For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

Translation for Translators

because evil people cannot sleep if they have not done some evil deed on that day. They cannot rest if they have not harmed someone.

Unlocked Literal Bible

For they cannot sleep until they do evil and they are robbed of sleep until they cause someone to stumble.

Noah Webster Bible

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

World English Bible

For they don’t sleep unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

Young's Literal Translation

For they sleep not if they do not evil, And their sleep hath been taken violently away, If they cause not [some] to stumble.

Context

A Father’s Instruction

¹⁵Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by. ¹⁶For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall. ¹⁷For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

Summary

This verse warns against the wickedness of evildoers who are unable to sleep unless they have done wrong. It highlights the destructive nature of sin and the twisted pleasure some find in causing harm. The verse serves as a cautionary reminder to avoid the path of the wicked, as their actions not only harm others but also disrupt their own peace and well-being. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of choosing righteousness and integrity over the temporary satisfaction gained from wrongdoing.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted (Pro 6:4; Psa 36:5). They live by flagrant vices (Pro 1:13). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16; Job 34:7).

Proverbs 4:16

A Father’s Instruction

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

American Standard Version (1901)

For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

Bible in Basic English

For they take no rest till they have done evil; their sleep is taken away if they have not been the cause of someone's fall.

Douay-Rheims 1899

For they sleep not except they have done evil: and their sleep is taken away unless they have made some to fall.

Free Bible Version

Evil people won't rest until they've done something wrong; they can't sleep unless they've tripped someone up.

Geneva Bible 1599

For they can not sleepe, except they haue done euill, and their sleepe departeth except they cause some to fall.

King James (Authorized) Version

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

One Unity Resource Bible

For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

Translation for Translators

because evil people cannot sleep if they have not done some evil deed on that day. They cannot rest if they have not harmed someone.

Unlocked Literal Bible

For they cannot sleep until they do evil and they are robbed of sleep until they cause someone to stumble.

Noah Webster Bible

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

World English Bible

For they don’t sleep unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

Young's Literal Translation

For they sleep not if they do not evil, And their sleep hath been taken violently away, If they cause not [some] to stumble.

Proverbs 4:16

Verse

Context

A Father’s Instruction

Summary

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Proverbs 4:16

A Father’s Instruction

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes