Proverbs 4:15
in Proverbs 4Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on.
KJV
Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
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This verse in Proverbs 4
Commentary
5 notes on this verseAvoid 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 site's exposition
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
on Proverbs 4:14-17
Four short commands pile up, “Avoid it; do not travel on it” and “Turn from it and pass on by,” urging distance over argument. The wicked in view “cannot sleep unless they do evil” and “they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence”.
This site's exposition
Turn from it and pass on by
Avoid it: John Gill notes the Vulgate's flee from it, and joins the verse to Paul's charge at 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to keep from evil. Joseph turned from that path and fled at Genesis 39:12. Distance is the defense.
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
We must take heed of falling in with sin and sinners: Enter not into the paths of the wicked. Our teacher, having like a faithful guide shown us the right paths (
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
Avoid it - Let it be the serious purpose of thy soul to shun every appearance of evil. Pass not by it - Never, for the sake of worldly gain, or through complaisance to others, approach the way that thou wouldst not wish to be found in when God calls thee into the eternal world. Turn from it - If, through unwatchfulness or unfaithfulness, thou at any time get near or into the way of sin, turn from it with the utmost speed, and humble thyself before thy Maker.
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| פְּרָעֵ֥הוּ | peraehu | avoid it | H6544 → | 16 times |
| אַל־ | ʾal- | may not | H408 → | 724 times |
| תַּעֲבָר־ | taavor- | you pass along | H5674 → | 556 times |
| בּ֑וֹ | bo | on it | ||
| שְׂטֵ֖ה | seteh | turn aside | H7847 → | |
| מֵעָלָ֣יו | mealav | from on <the> it | H5921 → | 5755 times |
| וַעֲבֽוֹר׃ | vaavor | and pass on | H5674 → | 556 times |
פְּרָעֵ֥הוּavoid it
peraehuH6544 →16 times
אַל־may not
ʾal-H408 →724 times
תַּעֲבָר־you pass along
taavor-H5674 →556 times
בּ֑וֹon it
bo
שְׂטֵ֖הturn aside
setehH7847 →
מֵעָלָ֣יוfrom on <the> it
mealavH5921 →5755 times
וַעֲבֽוֹר׃and pass on
vaavorH5674 →556 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Ephesians 5:11Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
it leads to
- Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
- 1 Timothy 5:20
But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received…
- 2 John 1:10–11
If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
- Romans 16:17
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
- Romans 13:12
Through
1 Thessalonians 5:22Abstain from every form of evil.
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 6:3
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
- Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
- 2 Corinthians 8:20–21
We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
- 2 Corinthians 6:3
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.