Proverbs 4:18 (GNV)

Passage

But the way of the righteous shineth as the light, that shineth more and more vnto the perfite day.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 4:16 For they can not sleepe, except they haue done euill, and their sleepe departeth except they cause some to fall.

Proverbs 4:17 For they eate the breade of wickednesse, and drinke the wine of violence.

Proverbs 4:18 But the way of the righteous shineth as the light, that shineth more and more vnto the perfite day.

Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is as the darkenes: they knowe not wherein they shall fall.

Proverbs 4:20 My sonne, hearken vnto my wordes, incline thine eare vnto my sayings.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "light", "righteous", "shineth", "vnto", and "perfite". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "light" and "righteous", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "For they eate the breade of wickednesse..." into verse 19's "The way of the wicked is as...", so "light" and "righteous" 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 "light" and "righteous" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.