Proverbs 1:31 kjv

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

Proverbs 1:31 nkjv

Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.

Proverbs 1:31 niv

they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

Proverbs 1:31 esv

therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.

Proverbs 1:31 nlt

Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,
choking on their own schemes.

Proverbs 1 verses

Proverbs 1 31 Meaning

Those who reject wisdom will inevitably face the full consequences of their own choices and misguided plans. Their life's path, chosen against divine instruction, will produce a bitter harvest that they alone must consume, experiencing the complete and often painful outcome of their self-reliant counsel. It is a natural and just recompense for their deliberate turning away from truth.

Proverbs 1 31 Context

Proverbs 1:31 is the culminating statement in the personification of Wisdom's first extended appeal and warning (Proverbs 1:20-33). Immediately preceding this verse (v. 24-30), Wisdom details the repeated rejections she faces: despising her counsel, ignoring her reproof, hating knowledge, refusing the fear of the Lord, and not choosing the reverence due to Him. Chapter 1 introduces the book of Proverbs, setting forth its purpose to impart wisdom, discipline, understanding, righteousness, justice, and equity. The historical context reflects a parental voice (often implied as the father, such as Solomon, instructing a son) transmitting foundational truths essential for a covenant people navigating life within God's moral order. The polemic is indirect, against any mindset or system of thought that prioritizes human will and autonomy over divine instruction, portraying such rejection as a path to self-destruction, contrasting with the blessed life promised through adherence to wisdom.

Proverbs 1 31 Word analysis

• Therefore (וְלָכֵן – wə·lā·ḵên): A conjunction signifying consequence. It establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship, explicitly linking this verse to the preceding verses (1:24-30) where the rejection of Wisdom's call and counsel is described. This indicates an inevitable outcome rooted in the prior actions.
• they shall eat (יֹאכְל֣וּ – yō’ḵə·lū): From the verb אָכַל (’āḵal), "to eat, consume." Here, it is metaphorical, meaning they will experience or suffer. The image suggests a direct and personal assimilation of the consequences, as one literally consumes food. It implies a complete intake, not just a superficial encounter.
• the fruit (מִפְּרִ֥י – mip·pərî): From פְּרִי (pərî), "fruit, produce, outcome." This noun denotes the natural yield or product of a process or action. The "fruit" here represents the harvest that naturally results from their sowing of evil or unwise choices. It signifies a consequence that is organic to their actions, not an arbitrary punishment.
• of their own way (דַרְכָּ֖ם – ḏar·kām): From דֶּרֶךְ (derekh), "way, path, manner of life, conduct." It refers to the course of action or lifestyle chosen. The suffix "-hem" (their own) emphasizes personal agency and responsibility. It highlights that the consequences stem directly from their chosen lifestyle and not from external imposition unrelated to their behavior.
• and be filled (וּמִמֹּעֲצֹתֵיהֶם֙ – wə·yiś·bə·‘ū): From the verb שָׂבַע (śāḇa‘), "to be full, satisfied, satiated." In this context, it carries a negative connotation, implying being glutted or surfeited, often unpleasantly so. It suggests an inescapable and overwhelming abundance of these negative consequences, to the point of spiritual nausea or despair, leaving no room for anything else.
• with their own devices (יִשְׂבָּֽעוּ׃ – û·mim·mo·‘a·ṣō·ṯê·hem): From עֵצָה (‘ēṣāh), "counsel, advice, plan, scheme, device." This refers to their own self-generated thoughts, plans, and strategies, particularly those formulated independent of divine wisdom. The repetition of the possessive pronoun "their own" reinforces personal responsibility and the self-inflicted nature of their predicament. It is the full measure of what they have conceived in their own hearts and minds apart from God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore, they shall eat the fruit": This phrase strongly connects the rejection of wisdom (mentioned previously) to the resulting painful experience. The imagery of eating the "fruit" vividly portrays consuming the natural outcomes of one's deeds, suggesting a direct, personal, and unavoidable experience of consequences.
• "of their own way": This specifies the origin of the "fruit." It's not arbitrary misfortune but a harvest directly springing from their personal conduct, chosen paths, and moral direction. This emphasizes autonomy leading to self-inflicted judgment.
• "and be filled with their own devices": This further details the complete and perhaps unpleasant consumption. Their "devices" are their self-reliant counsels and plans. Being "filled" signifies a complete saturation in these self-made consequences, showing the total return of their misdirection upon themselves. It highlights that their ruin comes from their own self-generated plans, which proved to be destructive.

Proverbs 1 31 Bonus section

The concept presented in Proverbs 1:31 highlights not only God's justice but also His inherent moral order of the universe. It suggests that consequences are often embedded within the actions themselves, making them unavoidable and intrinsically tied to the chosen path. The "eating" and "being filled" signify a complete, existential encounter with these consequences, where every facet of life is touched by the effects of past choices. This is often described as a form of "immanent justice" where the punishment grows directly out of the crime or folly itself. The verse also underscores the irony that those who refuse the rich feast of wisdom offered by God will instead be forced to gorge themselves on the famine of their own devising. It serves as a stark reminder of the long-term impact of seemingly small, daily decisions to disregard divine instruction.

Proverbs 1 31 Commentary

Proverbs 1:31 delivers a sobering declaration of divine justice, not primarily as an active infliction, but as an inevitable consequence. Having scorned divine Wisdom's counsel and rejected the path of understanding, the foolish and the scoffers are shown to be brought to ruin by their own making. The imagery of "eating the fruit of their own way" vividly portrays that their choices become their ultimate meal; they will fully consume the bitter harvest sown by their rebellious or indifferent lives. Similarly, being "filled with their own devices" indicates a complete, even glutted, saturation in the results of their self-reliant, misguided plans. There is no escaping the spiritual and practical fallout of turning away from the Lord. It teaches that the natural progression of sin and foolishness, when left unchecked by a humble turning to God, is self-destruction. This verse stands as a powerful warning that God, in His righteousness, allows individuals to experience the logical outcome of their chosen trajectory, highlighting accountability and the unfailing principle of spiritual reaping what is sown.

• Example 1: A person consistently disregards financial advice, spending recklessly and accumulating debt. Eventually, they are "filled with their own devices" (debt, foreclosure) which are the "fruit of their own way" (irresponsible spending).
• Example 2: Someone habitually tells lies and manipulates others. In time, they become isolated, trusted by no one, and their relationships crumble. This is them "eating the fruit" of their dishonesty and being "filled with their own devices" as their deceit rebounds on them.