When the wicked increase, wrongdoing increases; But the righteous will see their downfall.
Parallel translations
- WEB When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
- KJV When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
- BSB When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
- NKJV When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.
- NLT When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When the wicked gain power, sin multiplies, but the righteous will witness their fall. It assures that the increase of evil is temporary under God's justice.
Overview
The proverb observes that the rise of the wicked brings a surge of transgression, yet the righteous will live to see their downfall. Evil's dominance is not permanent before God. This assures believers of the final triumph of righteousness when Christ overthrows all wickedness and vindicates His people (Revelation 19:11).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ps 92:11My eye has also seen my enemies. My ears have heard of the wicked enemies who rise up against me.
- Ps 37:34Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
- Ps 91:8You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.
- Ps 58:10The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;
- Ps 37:36But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
- Prov 29:2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
- Ps 112:8His heart is established. He will not be afraid in the end when he sees his adversaries.
- Rev 18:20“Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her.”
- Rev 15:4Who wouldn’t fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed.”
- Ps 92:9For, behold, your enemies, Yahweh, for, behold, your enemies shall perish. All the evildoers will be scattered.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 29:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.