Proverbs 4:15

15 Flee thou from it, and pass thou not thereby; bow thou away, and forsake it.

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 thou (fast to my) teaching, and forsake [thou] it not; keep thou it (near), for it is thy life.

14 Delight thou not in the paths of wicked men; and the way of evil men please not thee. (Delight thou not in the paths of the wicked; and do not let the ways of evil people please thee.)

15 Flee thou from it, and pass thou not thereby; bow thou away, and forsake it.

16 For they sleep not, no but they have done evil; and sleep is ravished from them, no but they have deceived simple men. (For they do not sleep, unless first they have done some evil; and sleep is taken from them, unless first they have deceived those who be honest, or have integrity.)

17 They eat the bread of unpiety, and drink the wine of wickedness. (They eat evil bread, and drink wicked wine.)