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Selected Verse: Proverbs 4:16 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Pr 4:16	Strong Concordance	For they sleep [03462] not, except they have done mischief [07489]; and their sleep [08142] is taken away [01497], unless they cause some to fall [03782] [03782].
	King James	For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
For - They cannot sleep with quietness.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

For - They cannot sleep with quietness.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Except they have done mischief - The night is their time for spoil and depredation. And they must gain some booty, before they go to rest. This I believe to be the meaning of the passage. I grant, also, that there may be some of so malevolent a disposition that they cannot be easy unless they can injure others, and are put to excessive pain when they perceive any man in prosperity, or receiving a kindness. The address in Virgil, to an illnatured shepherd is well known: - Et cum vidisti puero donata, dolebas: Et si non aliqua nocuisses, mortuus esses. Eclog. 3: 14. "When thou sawest the gifts given to the lad, thou wast distressed; and hadst thou not found some means of doing him a mischief, thou hadst died."

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Except they have done mischief - The night is their time for spoil and depredation. And they must gain some booty, before they go to rest. This I believe to be the meaning of the passage. I grant, also, that there may be some of so malevolent a disposition that they cannot be easy unless they can injure others, and are put to excessive pain when they perceive any man in prosperity, or receiving a kindness. The address in Virgil, to an illnatured shepherd is well known: -

Et cum vidisti puero donata, dolebas:

Et si non aliqua nocuisses, mortuus esses.

Eclog. 3: 14.

"When thou sawest the gifts given to the lad, thou wast distressed; and hadst thou not found some means of doing him a mischief, thou hadst died."

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