Proverbs 18:3 (GNV)

Passage

When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 18:1 For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.

Proverbs 18:2 A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.

Proverbs 18:3 When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.

Proverbs 18:4 The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.

Proverbs 18:5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "wicked", "commeth", "contempt", "vile", and "reproch". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "wicked" and "commeth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 2's "A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding..." into verse 4's "The words of a mans mouth are...", so "wicked" and "commeth" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "wicked" and "commeth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.