Proverbs 4:14

14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.

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 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.

13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.

15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.

16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.