Proverbs 4:16 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Evil people can't sleep at night unless they've done something harmful; they lose sleep unless they've caused someone to stumble or fail.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse describes how wicked people are so consumed with doing harm that they can't rest until they've hurt others.

📚 Historical Context

This proverb comes from King Solomon's teachings to his son about wisdom and the path of righteousness versus wickedness. In ancient Israel, sleep was seen as a gift from God and a sign of peace, so the inability to sleep represented inner turmoil. Solomon was contrasting the restless, destructive nature of evil people with the peace that comes from living righteously.

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Then Jesus turned to them and said, 'Let me ask you something: On the Sabbath, what's actually allowed — doing good or doing harm? Saving someone's life or letting them suffer?'

Leviticus 5:16

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Numbers 35:22

But if he pushed him suddenly without hatred, or threw something at him without planning it ahead of time,

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