Proverbs 4:27

Proverbs 4:27 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
• New International Version (NIV)Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

Context of Proverbs 4:27

25Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage] And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity]. 26Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, And all your ways will be steadfast and sure. Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk]; Turn your foot from [the path of] evil.

Proverbs 4:27 word by word

אַֽל־תֵּט־יָמִ֥ין וּשְׂמֹ֑אול הָסֵ֖ר רַגְלְךָ֣ מֵרָֽע׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Turnנָטָהnâţâh · to stretchH5186
• not to the right handיָמִיןyâmîyn · rightH3225
• nor to the leftשְׂמֹאלώemô'l ώem'ôl · leftH8040
• removeסוּרsûr ώûr · to turn aside: departH5493
• thy footרֶ֫גֶלregel · footH7272
• from evilרַעra‛ râ‛âh · bad: evilH7451

Cross-references for Proverbs 4:27

• Deuteronomy 5:32Therefore you shall pay attention and be careful to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left [deviating from My commandments].
• Deuteronomy 12:32“Everything I command you, you shall be careful to do it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
• Deuteronomy 28:14Do not turn aside from any of the words which I am commanding you today, to the right or to the left, to follow and serve other gods.
• Joshua 1:7Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do [everything] in accordance with the entire law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper and be successful wherever you go.
• Proverbs 16:17The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil; He who guards his way protects his life (soul).
• Isaiah 1:16“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Get your evil deeds out of My sight. Stop doing evil,
• Romans 12:9Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.

Commentaries on Proverbs 4:27

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left - Avoid all crooked ways. Be an upright, downright, and straight-forward man. Avoid tricks, wiles, and deceptions of this kind. To this the Septuagint and Vulgate add the following verse: , . Ipse autem rectos faciet cursus tuos; itinera autem tua in pace producet. "For himself will make thy paths straight and thy journeyings will he conduct in prosperity." The Arabic has also a clause to the same effect. But…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 27The ever-recurring image of the straight road on which no one ever loses his way represents here as elsewhere the onward course through life of the man who seeks and finds wisdom.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-27Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-27Wise people walk through life looking straight ahead.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2727. (Compare Pr 4:25). Avoid all by-paths of evil (De 2:27; 17:11). A life of integrity requires attention to heart, speech, eyes, and conduct.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 4:27

• Decision
• Integrity
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Diligence
• Getting
• Hold
• Look
• Ponder
• Principal
• Promote
• Right
• Stumble
• Hezekiah (2)

Commentaries on Proverbs 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings