Proverbs 1:15

Letters to the Faithful - Proverbs 1:15

Berean Standard Bible

my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path.

King James Bible

My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

Hebrew Text:

בְּנִ֣י אַל־תֵּ֖לֵךְ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ אִתָּ֑ם מְנַ֥ע רַגְלְךָ֗ מִנְּתִיבָתָֽם׃

Transliteration:

B'ni, al-telekh b'derekh ittam; mena raglecha min-netivatam.

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my son

This phrase indicates a personal and intimate address, often used in wisdom literature to convey a fatherly or mentor-like relationship. It reflects the familial context in which wisdom was traditionally passed down, emphasizing the importance of guidance and instruction within the family unit. This approach is consistent with the broader biblical theme of God as a Father who instructs His children, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 6:6-7, where parents are commanded to teach their children diligently.

do not walk the road with them

This warning against companionship with sinners is a recurring theme in Proverbs, highlighting the dangers of associating with those who engage in wickedness. The "road" symbolizes one's life journey or moral path. In biblical times, roads were often treacherous and fraught with danger, making this metaphor particularly vivid. The New Testament echoes this sentiment in 1 Corinthians 15:33, which warns that "bad company corrupts good character." The call to avoid the path of the wicked is a call to holiness and separation from sin, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of God's people being set apart.

or set foot upon their path

The imagery of setting foot on a path suggests the beginning of a journey or a decision to follow a certain way of life. In ancient Israel, paths and roads were significant as they connected cities and regions, but they also represented choices and directions in life. This phrase warns against even the initial step towards sin, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and discernment. The Psalms often contrast the path of the righteous with the path of the wicked, as seen in Psalm 1:1-2, which blesses the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. This highlights the biblical principle of choosing the path of righteousness and wisdom over the path of folly and sin.

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My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path (Proverbs 1:15). This verse, nestled within the opening exhortations of the Book of Proverbs, resounds with the urgent counsel of a father to his son, imploring him to shun the seductive path of sinners who entice toward violence and greed. As part of the prologue’s vivid portrayal of wisdom’s call, it stands as a solemn warning against the allure of wickedness, urging steadfast adherence to the path of righteousness. In its direct and impassioned plea, the verse encapsulates the central theme of Proverbs—the pursuit of divine wisdom as the safeguard against moral ruin—and sets forth a timeless admonition to choose the way of life over the way of death, rooted in the fear of the Lord.

The context of Proverbs 1:15 lies in the first chapter’s introduction to wisdom’s instruction, where a father addresses his son with tender authority, warning against the enticements of sinners described in the preceding verses. These sinners, depicted as a band of lawless men, lure the naive with promises of ill-gotten gain through bloodshed and theft (Proverbs 1:10–14). Their invitation, “Come with us,” is a siren call to join their path of destruction, marked by greed, violence, and rebellion against God’s order. In response, the father’s command, “My son, walk not thou in the way with them,” is both personal and urgent, addressing the son as an individual called to make a deliberate choice. The repetition of “way” and “path” underscores the metaphor of life as a journey, a recurring motif in Proverbs that contrasts the path of the righteous with the way of the wicked, leading to divergent destinies.

The phrase “walk not thou in the way with them” carries profound moral and theological weight. The verb “walk” implies a deliberate, ongoing choice of companionship and conduct, suggesting that association with sinners is not a mere moment of temptation but a trajectory that shapes one’s character and fate. The plural “them” emphasizes the collective nature of the temptation, evoking the social pressure to conform to a group whose values oppose God’s wisdom. By addressing the son directly—“thou”—the father personalizes the admonition, appealing to the individual’s responsibility to resist the crowd’s allure. The command to “refrain thy foot from their path” intensifies the warning, invoking the imagery of a physical step that must be withheld to avoid entering a course leading to ruin. The “path” of the sinners, as later verses reveal, is a way that hastens to shed blood and ambushes its own life (Proverbs 1:16, 18), a stark contrast to the path of wisdom that leads to life and blessing.

Theologically, Proverbs 1:15 reflects the foundational principle of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The call to avoid the sinners’ path is not merely pragmatic but covenantal, rooted in the relationship between God and His people. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom literature often emphasized moral order as reflective of divine order, and Proverbs situates this order within the framework of Israel’s covenant with Yahweh. To walk in the way of sinners is to reject the fear of the Lord, embracing instead a life of folly that defies God’s design for human flourishing. The father’s plea, therefore, is an echo of divine wisdom, urging the son to align his steps with the righteous path that God ordains, a path marked by justice, integrity, and reverence.

The verse also carries a universal and timeless quality, speaking to the perennial temptation to conform to the ways of a fallen world. The sinners’ enticement mirrors the allure of wealth, power, and ease that persists across generations, drawing the unwary into moral compromise. The father’s counsel to “refrain thy foot” suggests an active resistance, a deliberate turning away from temptation that requires vigilance and discernment. This call to restraint aligns with the broader biblical ethic of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit in the New Testament and a hallmark of wisdom in Proverbs. By refusing the sinners’ path, the son is invited to cultivate a life of intentional obedience, choosing the narrow way of righteousness over the broad road of destruction.

In the broader scriptural narrative, Proverbs 1:15 resonates with the biblical motif of the “two ways,” a theme that stretches from the Pentateuch to the Psalms and into the teachings of Jesus. The imagery of the path in Proverbs echoes Psalm 1, which contrasts the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked, and anticipates Christ’s teaching on the narrow and wide gates (Matthew 7:13–14). The warning against walking with sinners finds fulfillment in the New Testament’s call to avoid being yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14) and to flee from youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:22). Moreover, the verse’s emphasis on wisdom as a safeguard points to Christ, the embodiment of divine wisdom, who calls His followers to walk in His way, bearing the yoke of His teaching for rest and life (Matthew 11:29–30).

In conclusion, Proverbs 1:15 stands as a clarion call to reject the seductive path of sinners and to embrace the way of wisdom rooted in the fear of the Lord. The father’s urgent plea to his son reflects the heart of divine instruction, warning against the destructive allure of wickedness while beckoning toward the path of righteousness that leads to life. Through its vivid imagery of walking and refraining, the verse underscores the active, intentional nature of the moral life, calling each generation to choose wisely in the face of temptation. In its timeless admonition, Proverbs 1:15 points ultimately to the One who is the way, the truth, and the life, inviting all to walk in His steps and find refuge in the wisdom of God.

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Beloved brethren and sisters, I write to you with affection in the Lord, desiring that you may walk in wisdom and in the fear of the Lord all your days. May the Word of Christ dwell richly in you, and may you abound in knowledge and in discernment, that you may approve what is excellent and be kept blameless for the day of Christ.

For it is written: “My son, do not walk in the way with them; keep your foot from their path.” — Proverbs 1:15.

O brethren, here is a word of great counsel, spoken by the Spirit through the voice of wisdom. Though these words were first spoken as from a father to a son, yet they are given to all who would hear, to all who seek to walk in the paths of righteousness and truth.

“Do not walk in the way with them.” Who are they, beloved? They are the company of the wicked, the enticers to evil, the counsel of the ungodly. They are those whose feet run to evil and make haste to shed innocent blood, whose ways are crooked and whose steps lead to destruction. Their words are full of deceit, and their end is death.

Therefore, O people of God, keep your foot from their path. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. For what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? What portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

The paths of the wicked are broad and smooth; many walk therein. They allure with promises of pleasure and gain, but their way is bitter in the end. The way of wisdom is narrow and steep, but it leads to life and peace. Choose, therefore, the path of life. Walk in the fear of the Lord. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Brethren, I do not write these things as one who is without need of such counsel, but as one who also is a sojourner in this world of temptation. The enticements of the wicked are subtle; their words are smooth as oil. Therefore, we must be vigilant and sober-minded, watching our steps, lest we be ensnared by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hear also, beloved, that it is not enough to refrain from walking with the wicked outwardly; we must also guard our hearts within. For from the heart flow the springs of life. If we cherish iniquity in our hearts, though our feet seem to tread the path of the righteous, yet our souls will be drawn astray. Let the Word of Christ rule in your hearts; let the peace of God guard your minds.

And consider, brethren, the company you keep. For as it is written: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Therefore, seek out the fellowship of the godly; delight in the company of those who fear the Lord. Let iron sharpen iron, and let your hearts be knit together in love and in the truth of the gospel.

I charge you, therefore, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, to walk worthy of the calling you have received. Keep your foot from the path of the wicked; turn aside from it and pass on. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze before you. Ponder the path of your feet, that all your ways may be sure. Do not turn to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.

And if any among you have stumbled, if you have walked in paths of darkness, do not despair. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Return to Him, and He will have mercy; to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. He restores the soul and leads His sheep in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Now, beloved, may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. May He strengthen your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. May He grant you discernment to choose the good and to refuse the evil, to walk in wisdom and not in folly, to flee from every path that leads to destruction and to abide in the way of life.

And now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.

Amen.

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O Lord God of wisdom and truth, Most High and Everlasting Father, whose ways are perfect and whose judgments are altogether righteous, we come before You this day with humble hearts and uplifted voices. We acknowledge that You are the source of all wisdom, the fountain of all understanding, the light that shines in the darkness and leads Your people in the way everlasting.

For it is written: “My son, do not walk in the way with them; keep your foot from their path.” O Lord, we receive this word with reverence, knowing that You, in Your mercy, call us away from the snares of the wicked and into the paths of righteousness. You are the faithful Shepherd who guides His sheep, who warns His children against the enticements of sin and the deceitfulness of evil men.

We confess before You, O Lord, that we are weak and prone to wander. The allurements of this world are many; the voices of the ungodly are loud and persistent. Temptation lies in wait at every turn, seeking to draw us from the narrow way. Therefore, we beseech You, O God, to incline our hearts to wisdom and to give us ears to hear Your voice. May we not heed the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.

Grant us discernment, O Lord, that we may recognize the paths that lead to destruction. Teach us to examine our steps and to weigh our associations. Let us not walk in the way with those whose feet run to evil, whose words are deceitful, whose end is ruin. Keep our feet from their path; lead us instead in the way of peace, the path of life.

Strengthen us, O Lord, to resist the pull of the crowd. In an age when many forsake Your ways and choose the broad road that leads to destruction, grant us courage to walk the narrow path, though it be lonely and difficult. Let us not be ashamed to be called Your people; let us not be swayed by the fear of man. May we set our eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, and follow Him without turning aside.

O Lord, make us a people who love righteousness and hate iniquity. May our hearts be set upon Your Word; may Your precepts be our delight. Let the law of the Lord be our meditation day and night, that we may be like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season. Keep us from the counsel of the wicked, and let us find joy in the assembly of the righteous.

And we pray, O God, for the young among us—our sons and our daughters, our children and our youth. Guard their hearts from the seduction of sin. Teach them to flee the paths of folly and to walk in wisdom from an early age. Raise them up to be men and women of integrity, steadfast in faith and pure in heart, shining as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

O Lord, empower Your Church to be a beacon of truth and holiness. May we, as the body of Christ, walk worthy of the calling we have received. Let our conduct be blameless before a watching world. May our love for one another be sincere, our service selfless, our witness bold. Keep us united in truth, and let us exhort one another daily, that none may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

When we stumble, O Lord, lift us up. When we are tempted, make a way of escape. When we are weary, renew our strength. Let Your grace be sufficient for us in every trial, and may Your power be made perfect in our weakness.

O God of all wisdom, You who give generously to all who ask, fill us with the wisdom that is from above—pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. May the fruit of righteousness abound in our lives, to the glory and praise of Your holy name.

Now unto You, O Lord, who alone are wise, who lead Your people in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake, who keep the feet of Your saints from stumbling—unto You be glory and honor, dominion and praise, both now and forevermore.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.