Proverbs 4:15

Context

4:15 Avoid it, do not go on it;

turn away from it, and go on.¹

Proverbs 24:18

Context

24:18 lest the Lord see it, and be displeased,²

and turn his wrath away from him.³

[4:15] ¹sn The verb עָבַר (’avar, “to cross over; to travel through”) ends both cola. In the first it warns against going on wrong paths; in the second it means “to go your own way,” but may hint that the way will cross over the wrong way. The rapid sequence of commands stresses the urgency of the matter.

[24:18] ²tn Heb “and [it is] evil in his eyes.”

[24:18] ³sn The judgment of God should strike a note of fear in the heart of people (e.g., Lev 19:17-18). His judgment is not to be taken lightly, or personalized as a victory. If that were to happen, then the Lord might take pity on the enemies in their calamity, for he champions the downtrodden and defeated. These are probably personal enemies; the imprecatory psalms and the prophetic oracles present a different set of circumstances for the downfall of God’s enemies – even the book of Proverbs says that brings joy to the community.