Proverbs 1:18
ESV
but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.
NIV
These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!
NASB
But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives.
CSB
but they set an ambush to kill themselves; they attack their own lives.
NLT
But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed.
KJV
And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
NKJV
But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives.
What does Proverbs 1:18 mean?
Solomon reinforces the concept that those who plan to do evil will undoubtedly harm themselves. These people are out for selfish gain, and they will meet a selfish end. The trap that they set for others, in the end, will tangle them up. This is a major theme of biblical morality: nobody "gets away with it." Trying to get ahead by defying God will only lead to disaster (Mark 8:36). All sin will be punished, and only the gospel gives us a means to avoid the fate we deserve.In a more immediate context, Solomon is highlighting the fact that getting involved with sinners leads only to personal destruction. Falling into the temptations of sin never ends well, even when it seems to start well. No good can come from these wicked plans. Both the book of Proverbs and other Scriptures will emphasize the importance of choosing one's company very carefully (Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33).
