For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause (some) to fall. So the Hebrew margin (Qeri') reads, which Proverbs 4:17 supports х yakshiyluw (H3782)]. But the Hebrew text (Kethibh) reads, 'unless they have fallen' - i:e., done wicked deeds [yakshowluw]: the more difficult reading, and, so far, the lees likely to be a later correction. But the Chaldaic and other old versions, as well as the sense, favour the English version reading (Psalms 36:4). It is the sinner's sport, food (Proverbs 4:17), and sleep to sin. The children of darkness make sin their element. The children of light should learn similarly to give themselves no sleep until they have done or devised good (Psalms 132:4; Proverbs 6:4).