Proverbs 4:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

NIV: The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

NASB: But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

CSB: The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

NLT: The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

KJV: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

NKJV: But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

Symbolism about walking, or paths, is common in Scripture. The general idea is that evil creates a dark, jagged road which causes people to be lost, or to fall. Truth and godliness are compared to bright, straight, safe roads. As stated here, following godly wisdom is like walking on a road lit by light of dawn, brighter and brighter until it bursts into full day.

This is especially appropriate, since Jesus, the sinless Son of God, is defined as "the true light" (John 1:9). He called Himself "the light of the world," and said, "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). The apostle Paul addressed the believers at Ephesus as "light in the Lord" and exhorted them to "walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8). The apostle John wrote that "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). He added, "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). As believers walk in the light, others see our good works and glorify our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16).

Proverbs 4:10–19 contains both positive and negative counsel: ''do'' and ''do not'' statements. Solomon urges his son to choose the positive path of wisdom and avoid the negative ways of wickedness. Those caught in evil are portrayed as overcome, addicted, and desperate. Solomon concludes this section by comparing the path of the righteous to bright light and the way of the wicked to deep darkness.

Common for the first nine chapters of Proverbs, Solomon urges his sons—possibly also other students—to listen to his words. He recalls his early years, when he heard some of these words from his father, David. Wisdom is upheld as the most beneficial thing a person can acquire in life. It brings honor and safety. In contrast, the wicked are perpetual wrongdoers whose goal is to lead others astray. They live for wickedness and violence, and they stumble in the darkness. Solomon urges his sons not to deviate from the path of godly wisdom, either ''to the right or to the left.''

The first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs focus on extolling the value of godly wisdom. In this chapter King Solomon continues to pass along this message to his son. His advice to his sons—possibly also meaning his students—in chapter 4 is similar to what he says in Proverbs 1:8–9; 2:1–6; 3:1–2, 21–26; 5:1–2; 6:20–22; 7:1–3, 24; and 8:22–36. The words of this chapter are partly taken from advice Solomon recalls hearing from his own father, David.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.