Proverbs 4:19

Translations

Modern

But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Traditional

The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Literal

The way of the wicked is like the darkness—they do not know over what they stumble.

Latin

Via impiorum tenebrosa; nesciunt ubi corruant.

Original

Hebrew

English

But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Notes

Proverbs 4:18–19

Light symbolizes wisdom and righteousness, while darkness represents foolishness and wickedness (see Ecclesiastes 2:12–14). Light reveals actions; darkness conceals them. Righteous people have nothing to hide, but the wicked try to hide their actions and stumble over obstacles in the dark (see Matthew 4:16; 5:14–16; John 1:14; Romans 2:19).

Proverbs 4:10–19

The father offers his children two choices:

Avoid evil to escape its bad effects
Choose good for its blessings

Theme notes and profiles

Darkness and Light

Related verses

John 12:35
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
Isaiah 59:9–10
Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom.
Job 18:5–6
Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow.
Jeremiah 23:12
“Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:9
He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.
Jeremiah 13:16
Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.
John 11:10
But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.”
Job 5:14
They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night.
Proverbs 2:13
…from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,
Job 18:18
He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.
Job 12:25
They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards.
Matthew 7:23
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Glossary

Darkness Proverbs, Book of

Topics

Blindness: Spiritual Wisdom: Spiritual: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to Young Men: General Scriptures Concerning

Proverbs 4:19

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