Proverbs 4:16 kjv

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

Proverbs 4:16 nkjv

For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.

Proverbs 4:16 niv

For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

Proverbs 4:16 esv

For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.

Proverbs 4:16 nlt

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.

Proverbs 4 verses

Proverbs 4 16 Meaning

Proverbs 4:16 vividly portrays the inherent, restless nature of the wicked. It describes an almost pathological compulsion for them to commit evil and cause harm. They are depicted as being unable to find peace, sleep, or true rest until they have successfully engaged in malicious acts or brought someone to ruin. Their very existence is characterized by this insatiable urge for malevolence, highlighting their perverse internal drive and their lack of peace until their destructive intentions are fulfilled.

Proverbs 4 16 Context

Proverbs chapter 4 serves as a heartfelt paternal instruction to a son, urging him to diligently pursue wisdom and understanding as the foundational principle for a prosperous and righteous life. The chapter begins with an appeal to listen to and retain the father's teaching, framing wisdom as a divine legacy. The core message is a vivid contrast between the "path of the wise" and the "path of the wicked." Verses 14 and 15 explicitly warn the son not to enter or walk on the path of the wicked. Proverbs 4:16 elaborates on why this path is so dangerous, by revealing the insidious, unrelenting nature of those who tread it. It unveils their internal compulsion, serving as a powerful deterrent, underscoring the deep spiritual and moral corruption of those who have chosen evil, making it an inescapable part of their being. This verse does not directly engage in polemics, but implicitly condemns any worldview that suggests rest or peace can be found in a life of malice or selfish ambition, as was common in various ancient Near Eastern practices or belief systems focused on personal gain without moral accountability.

Proverbs 4 16 Word analysis

• For: This conjunction, rendered from the Hebrew כִּי (ki), introduces the reason or explanation for the previous warning. It connects the danger of the wicked's path (v. 14-15) to their internal, restless compulsion for evil.
• they: Refers to "the wicked" (רְשָׁעִים, resha'im), mentioned in the preceding verses. It points to a specific group whose characteristic behavior is about to be revealed.
• cannot sleep: From the Hebrew לֹא יִישְׁנוּ (lo' yishenu), literally "they will not sleep." This emphasizes an intense, almost physiological inability to rest. It highlights a disturbed conscience and a perverse psychological state, where peace eludes them until their dark intentions are acted upon. It's not merely discomfort, but an internal imperative.
• unless they have done evil: From the Hebrew כִּי אִם־הֵרֵעוּ (ki im-her'u), "unless they have done ill/badly" or "unless they cause harm." The root is רָעַע (ra'a'), meaning to be evil, bad, or injurious. This reveals the specific object of their restless craving: actively perpetrating wickedness. Their very "sleep" or rest is contingent upon completing a malicious act.
• they are robbed of slumber: From the Hebrew וְנָשָׁרָה שְׁנָתָם (ve-nasharah shenatam). The word נָשָׁרָה (nasharah) is derived from נָשַׁר (nashar), meaning to drop off, fall away, or be detached. The verb indicates something being removed or taken away, or literally "their sleep drops off/is dislodged." It further reinforces the concept of deprivation of rest. This is not passive; something is actively preventing their sleep—namely, their unfulfilled malevolent desires. The imagery here intensifies the compulsion from "cannot sleep" to "sleep actively eludes them."
• unless they have made someone stumble: From the Hebrew כִּי אִם־הִכְשִׁילוּ (ki im-hikhshilu), "unless they cause to stumble." The root is כָּשַׁל (kashal), to stumble, totter, or fall. The Hiphil conjugation ( causative form) signifies that their intention is to actively cause others to stumble, trip, or fall into ruin, either morally, physically, or socially. Their internal rest hinges on achieving this specific destructive outcome.

• "cannot sleep unless they have done evil": This phrase highlights the compulsive and addictive nature of wickedness for them. Their internal state is so disquieted by the absence of malevolent activity that they cannot find rest. It speaks to a deep spiritual corruption that has twisted their desires and sense of purpose.
• "robbed of slumber unless they have made someone stumble": This reinforces the preceding phrase by presenting the parallel idea, adding specificity to the "evil." Their highest satisfaction, or rather, the only thing that allows them to find temporary rest, is causing others distress, ruin, or moral compromise. The imagery paints a vivid picture of a conscience so inverted that causing harm is its only sedative.

Proverbs 4 16 Bonus section

The "sleeplessness" of the wicked is not just a literal physical inability to sleep, but often refers to a deeper, spiritual and psychological agitation. They lack inner peace because their lives are defined by opposition to God's order and by causing harm to others. This continuous striving after malevolence can be seen as a twisted form of human purpose; instead of building up, they are driven to tear down. The intensity of their pursuit for evil ("cannot sleep unless...") indicates that wickedness has become a self-sustaining cycle, where each act fuels a deeper need for the next. This also hints at the futility of their chosen path, as such a life, devoid of true rest and peace, is ultimately a form of self-inflicted torture, even before any external judgment.

Proverbs 4 16 Commentary

Proverbs 4:16 offers a chilling insight into the profound depravity that defines those committed to wickedness. It’s not merely that they do evil; it's that evil becomes a fundamental necessity for their well-being, replacing normal human needs for peace and rest. Their inability to sleep until they have enacted their malevolent schemes or brought someone low speaks to a spiritual void that only destruction can temporarily fill. This compulsion illustrates how thoroughly wickedness enslaves its adherents, turning what should be rest into restlessness, and making a disturbed state their norm unless they act destructively. It is a powerful warning against the all-consuming nature of a life lived contrary to divine wisdom, where inner peace is forfeited for an insatiable craving for malice. It provides a stark contrast to the calm and secure sleep offered to the righteous, whose rest is rooted in their trust in the Lord and obedience to His ways.