14 Into the path of the wicked enter not, And be not happy in a way of evil doers. 15 Avoid it, pass not over into it, Turn aside from it, and pass on. 16 For they sleep not if they do not evil, And their sleep hath been taken violently away, If they cause not 'some' to stumble. 17 For they have eaten bread of wickedness, And wine of violence they drink. 18 And the path of the righteous 'is' as a shining light, Going and brightening till the day is established, 19 The way of the wicked 'is' as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.
20 My son, to my words give attention, To my sayings incline thine ear, 21 Let them not turn aside from thine eyes, Preserve them in the midst of thy heart. 22 For life they 'are' to those finding them, And to all their flesh healing. 23 Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it 'are' the outgoings of life. 24 Turn aside from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee, 25 Thine eyes do look straightforward, And thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder thou the path of thy feet, And all thy ways 'are' established. 27 Incline not 'to' the right or to the left, Turn aside thy foot from evil!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 4:14-27
Commentary on Proverbs 4:14-27
(Read Proverbs 4:14-27)
The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there they shall shine as the sun in his strength. The way of sin is as darkness. The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall into sin, but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble, but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor what will be in the end of it. This is the way we are bid to shun. Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all diseases of the soul. Keep thy heart with all diligence. We must set a strict guard upon our souls; keep our hearts from doing hurt, and getting hurt. A good reason is given; because out of it are the issues of life. Above all, we should seek from the Lord Jesus that living water, the sanctifying Spirit, issuing forth unto everlasting life. Thus we shall be enabled to put away a froward mouth and perverse lips; our eyes will be turned from beholding vanity, looking straight forward, and walking by the rule of God's word, treading in the steps of our Lord and Master. Lord, forgive the past, and enable us to follow thee more closely for the time to come.