Proverbs 4:17–18 (NKJV) — 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

The contrast between the wicked and the just. Wickedness and violence characterize the lifestyles of evil people. On the other hand, those who are just are continually growing in God. Day by day, they see things more clearly, they learn more about His Word, and they desire to be more like Him. The phrase “shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” refers to the manner in which the day grows constantly brighter until noon. At the earliest hours of morning, only the vaguest shapes and outlines can be seen. But as the morning progresses, these things take on more definition until they can finally be seen in their greatest detail. Similarly, those who are just see more clearly every day; they understand more and more about what God is doing in their lives. They walk more perfectly as they go along.

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