Proverbs 4:14

14 Don't follow the ways of the wicked; don't do what evil people do.

Proverbs 4:14 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 4:14

Enter not into the path of the wicked
Which leads to eternal death; join not with them in their wicked ways and practices; have no fellowship, keep no company, with them; do not set one foot in the path they tread, lest thou shouldest be tempted to proceed to more ungodliness; you do not know where and when there will be a stop, when once you begin, therefore enter not. The Vulgate Latin version is, "do not delight in the paths of the ungodly": but this supposes not only entrance, but progress and continuance in them, whereas the first is dehorted from in these words: and go not in the way of evil [men];
if tempted and prevailed upon to take a step and make a trial, do not proceed; withdraw at once, do not go on. Some render it, seeing the word used has sometimes the signification of blessedness in it, "do not esteem the way of evil men blessed" ^F25; nor reckon thyself or them happy that walk in such ways; they are far from it: hence the Targum, Septuagint, and Syriac versions are, "do not envy the ways of wicked men"; their seeming pleasure will end in bitterness: the Arabic version is, "do not imitate" them; do not follow their example, and do as they do.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Myer Krdb rvat) "in via malorum ne te beatum existimes", Tiguriue version; "ne beatam praedices viam malorum", Michaelis.

Proverbs 4:14 In-Context

12 Nothing will hold you back; you will not be overwhelmed.

13 Always remember what you have been taught, and don't let go of it. Keep all that you have learned; it is the most important thing in life.

14 Don't follow the ways of the wicked; don't do what evil people do.

15 Avoid their ways, and don't follow them. Stay away from them and keep on going,

16 because they cannot sleep until they do evil. They cannot rest until they harm someone.