Proverbs 16:17

17 The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

Proverbs 16:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:17

The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil
Upright persons, such who are upright in heart, and walk uprightly; these walk in the highway of holiness, in which men, though fools, shall not err; in the King's highway, the highway of the King of kings; in the plain beaten path of God's commandments; and so shun the bypaths of sin, and abstain from all appearance of it: this is their common constant course of life; they are studiously concerned to walk herein, and take delight in so doing; whereby they escape many evils others fall into; he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul,
that keeps on in his way, the way in which the upright walk; whose eyes look right on, and his eyelids straight before him; who ponders the path of his feet, and turns neither to the right hand nor the left; who walks circumspectly and carefully; observes the road he is in, to keep in it, and not go out of it; such a man preserves his soul from many snares and temptations, troubles, dangers, and evils, which he would be otherwise liable to. Here the Masorites put the word (yux) , signifying that this is the half or middle of the book.

Proverbs 16:17 In-Context

15 In the light of a king's countenance [is] life; and his favor [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold? and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver?
17 The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better [it is to be] of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
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