Proverbs 23:18 kjv

For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:18 nkjv

For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:18 niv

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:18 esv

Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:18 nlt

You will be rewarded for this;
your hope will not be disappointed.

Proverbs 23 verses

Proverbs 23 18 Meaning

Proverbs 23:18 serves as a profound assurance and encouragement for the righteous. It directly responds to the counsel given in the preceding verse, which urges believers not to envy sinners, regardless of their apparent prosperity or ease. This verse unequivocally states that there is a certain, positive future for those who fear the Lord. Consequently, the hope and confident expectation of the righteous will not be frustrated, disappointed, or come to an end. It underpins the certainty of divine justice and reward, contrasting the fleeting success of the wicked with the enduring promise given to the faithful.

Proverbs 23 18 Context

Proverbs chapter 23 contains a series of instructions and warnings, often structured as fatherly advice to a son. It addresses practical wisdom concerning various temptations and pitfalls of life. These include warnings against associating with greedy rulers (vs. 1-8), scorning a fool (vs. 9), injustice towards the vulnerable (vs. 10-11), and self-indulgence (vs. 19-21, 29-35).

Verse 18 is immediately preceded by verse 17: "Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day." This provides the crucial backdrop: The teacher understands the temptation to envy the wicked who often seem to prosper in the present. Verse 18 directly counters this temptation by shifting focus from the temporary appearance to the eternal reality. It assures the listener that steadfast fear of the Lord (a key theme in Proverbs) is not in vain. The historical context reflects a society where righteous individuals could indeed face hardship while the unrighteous seemed to flourish, challenging their faith. This proverb stands as a polemic against the worldview that evaluates life solely on immediate, tangible prosperity, firmly redirecting attention to God's ultimate justice and guaranteed future for the faithful.

Proverbs 23 18 Word analysis

• For surely:

  • Hebrew: כִּי (ki). Often translated as "for," "because," "indeed." Here, it functions as an emphatic affirmative or strong causal particle, introducing a foundational reason or explanation. It establishes certainty and a strong link to the preceding instruction, implying "This is true because..."
  • Significance: It underscores the reliability of the statement that follows, rooting the exhortation not to envy sinners in an indisputable divine truth.

• there is a hereafter:

  • Hebrew: אַחֲרִית (acharith). This noun literally means "the end," "latter part," "future," or "outcome." It can refer to physical descendants (posterity) but frequently signifies the ultimate destiny or culmination of a life's course, whether good or bad. In Proverbs, when linked with the righteous, it invariably means a positive, secure, and hopeful outcome. In contrast, the 'acharith' of the wicked is often destruction (e.g., Prov 24:20).
  • Significance: This word speaks of an assured final state or future reality that vindicates the choices of the righteous, assuring them their labor and faith are not in vain. It subtly introduces an eschatological dimension of certainty.

• and your hope:

  • Hebrew: תִּקְוָה (tikvah). This word means "hope," "expectation," "a cord" (suggesting that which binds or gives connection to a future outcome). Unlike a mere wish, "tikvah" denotes a confident expectation, a strong assurance rooted in the character and promises of God. It is an active, trustful waiting.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the personal, confident expectation held by the individual who fears the Lord. It implies a legitimate and God-given basis for this expectation.

• will not be cut off:

  • Hebrew: יִכָּרֵת (yikareth), a form of the verb כָּרַת (karat), which means "to cut," "to cut off," "to make a covenant." In the Niphal (passive) stem as used here, it means "to be cut off," "to be destroyed," "to fail," or "to perish." The negative "לֹא" (lo', not) ensures the opposite meaning.
  • Significance: The phrase guarantees permanence and unceasingness. The hope will endure; it will not be terminated, destroyed, or come to naught. It strongly counters the idea of frustration or ultimate disappointment, ensuring divine fulfillment.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "For surely there is a hereafter": This phrase establishes the foundational certainty. It declares an immutable truth: life's trajectory, particularly for the one fearing God, leads to a definite, good conclusion. It implies divine ordination and oversight of destiny.
  • "and your hope will not be cut off": This second clause is the direct consequence and personal application of the first. Because a certain, positive "hereafter" exists, the expectation of the one who fears God is guaranteed to be realized. It promises an unfailing expectation and reward, removing any basis for despair or envy of the wicked's transient gains. It is a powerful affirmation of divine faithfulness.

Proverbs 23 18 Bonus section

• The concept of "acharith" (hereafter/end) in Proverbs is almost always positive when associated with the righteous but destructive for the wicked. This strong contrast underlines God's ultimate differentiation and justice between the two paths.
• This verse can be seen as an Old Testament foundation for New Testament teachings on endurance, heavenly rewards, and the certain hope of eternal life, countering the fleeting nature of worldly success.
• The "hope" here is not a wish, but a divinely grounded certainty. It implies that a life lived in "the fear of the Lord" (as in Prv 23:17) directly links to this guaranteed, prosperous outcome.
• The verse combats a materialistic worldview by shifting the focus from visible, immediate rewards to an unseen, yet certain, future outcome defined by divine truth rather than human perception or current circumstances.

Proverbs 23 18 Commentary

Proverbs 23:18 stands as a beacon of enduring promise within the wisdom literature. It addresses the fundamental human struggle of witnessing the prosperity of the wicked while the righteous often suffer or face hardship. The core message is a direct rebuttal to the temptation to envy sinners, by offering a firm assurance that the righteous have a secure and positive "hereafter" (acharith), and their "hope" (tikvah) will never be disappointed. This "hereafter" transcends immediate circumstances; it speaks of an ultimate, favorable outcome, a sure destiny in contrast to the ruinous end awaiting the wicked.

The verse anchors faith in God's faithfulness, reminding believers that divine justice is ultimately administered, and true value lies beyond present temporal gains. It is a call to patience and perseverance, cultivating a long-term, eternal perspective. For those striving to live according to God's wisdom, despite current struggles, this proverb guarantees that their investment in righteousness yields an imperishable reward and an unfailing confidence in God's goodness and promises.