Proverbs 4:15

15 Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way.

Proverbs 4:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 4:15

Avoid it
As dangerous and pernicious, as abominable and detestable; or, "flee from it", as the Vulgate Latin version: Jarchi and Gersom interpret it, "make it void"; cause it to cease, destroy it, do all you can to hinder the wicked from accomplishing their designs; pass not by it;
do not come near it; keep at a distance from it, that you may not be drawn into it; abstain from all appearance of evil, and everything that may lead to it; turn from it, and pass away;
the Targum adds, "from them", from wicked men. This heap of words is used to show the danger of bad company; to dissuade from the least approach to it; and to express the vehement desire of the wise man to preserve his son, and all well inclined persons, from it.

Proverbs 4:15 In-Context

13 Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip. Guard it well - your life is at stake!
14 Don't take Wicked Bypass; don't so much as set foot on that road.
15 Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way.
16 Evil people are restless unless they're making trouble; They can't get a good night's sleep unless they've made life miserable for somebody.
17 Perversity is their food and drink, violence their drug of choice.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.