Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil people.
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.
- KJV Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
- BSB Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
- NKJV Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.
- NLT Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in their way. Wisdom requires avoiding evil company and conduct.
Overview
The two-ways theme sharpens: the wise must refuse even to set foot on the road the wicked travel. Avoiding evil is not merely resisting it once encountered but staying off its path altogether. This anticipates the blessing of the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked (Ps 1:1).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Ps 1:1Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
- 1 Cor 15:33Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”
- Prov 1:10My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.
- Prov 1:15My son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,
- Prov 13:20One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
- Prov 9:6Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
- Prov 2:11–12Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you,
- Ps 26:4–5I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 4:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.