SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:16
Porque no duermen ellos , si no hicieren mal; y pierden su sueño, si no han hecho caer.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:16
Verse 16. 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. iii. 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."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief , etc.] Or they cannot sleep, as Jarchi and Gersom interpret it. Oftentimes they cannot sleep on their beds for devising mischief, their thoughts are so intensely set on contriving wicked schemes; and when they have so done, they cannot sleep until they have executed them; they are continually restless and uneasy day and night, like the troubled sea, constantly casting up mire and dirt. Who would keep such company as these? and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall ; into the snares and traps they lay for them, or into sin and calamity by it; the former of which they endeavour by all means to draw men into, and the latter is the unavoidable consequence of it. They imitate their father the devil, both delight in sin, and in the ruin of their fellow creatures; it is a sport to thereto do mischief, and they have no pleasure without it; (see Proverbs 11:23). What company are such!
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-27 - The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compas some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but a a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there the shall shine as the sun in his strength. The way of sin is as darkness The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall into sin but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble, but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor what will be in the end of it. This is the way we are bid to shun. Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a goo means of carrying it on. There is in the word of God a proper remed for all diseases of the soul. Keep thy heart with all diligence. We must set a strict guard upon our souls; keep our hearts from doin hurt, and getting hurt. A good reason is given; because out of it ar the issues of life. Above all, we should seek from the Lord Jesus tha living water, the sanctifying Spirit, issuing forth unto everlastin life. Thus we shall be enabled to put away a froward mouth and pervers lips; our eyes will be turned from beholding vanity, looking straigh forward, and walking by the rule of God's word, treading in the step of our Lord and Master. Lord, forgive the past, and enable us to follo thee more closely for the time to come __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
כי 3588 לא 3808 ישׁנו 3462 אם 518 לא 3808 ירעו 7489 ונגזלה 1497 שׁנתם 8142 אם 518 לא 3808 יכשׁולו׃ 3782
