Proverbs 4:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.

NIV: When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

NASB: When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; And if you run, you will not stumble.

CSB: When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble.

NLT: When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.

KJV: When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

NKJV: When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.

The way of wisdom is safe. Wisdom keeps those who possess it from getting tripped and stumbling. As used in the book of Proverbs, "wisdom" is an ability to apply godly knowledge. Scripture, including this very book, acknowledges that wisdom is not a magical talisman that prevents all possible harms (Proverbs 3:25–26). However, common sense makes it clear that how we live—the choices we make—have a drastic influence on the length and quality of our lives. This is why Scripture refers to life using the metaphor of a "path." Ungodly attitudes create a dark, jagged, rocky path with many risks. Seeking the Lord makes life's road comparatively straight and clear (Proverbs 3:6).

When the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, he wanted to draw them back to correct doctrine. False teachers had sneaked into the churches of Galatia. They had successfully persuaded believers there that it was necessary to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. Paul asked the Galatians: "You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?" (Galatians 5:7). The word translated "hindered" evokes a runner being tripped. False teaching had caused the Galatian believers to stumble. Wisdom would have averted their stumbling.

Contrasting what happened to the Galatians, the "wise" person—the one who acts according to godly knowledge—will not be hampered, meaning his path will not be constricted. He will not experience the same pains and sorrows that lie in the path of the wicked.

Proverbs 4:10–19 contains both positive and negative counsel: ''do'' and ''do not'' statements. Solomon urges his son to choose the positive path of wisdom and avoid the negative ways of wickedness. Those caught in evil are portrayed as overcome, addicted, and desperate. Solomon concludes this section by comparing the path of the righteous to bright light and the way of the wicked to deep darkness.

Common for the first nine chapters of Proverbs, Solomon urges his sons—possibly also other students—to listen to his words. He recalls his early years, when he heard some of these words from his father, David. Wisdom is upheld as the most beneficial thing a person can acquire in life. It brings honor and safety. In contrast, the wicked are perpetual wrongdoers whose goal is to lead others astray. They live for wickedness and violence, and they stumble in the darkness. Solomon urges his sons not to deviate from the path of godly wisdom, either ''to the right or to the left.''

The first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs focus on extolling the value of godly wisdom. In this chapter King Solomon continues to pass along this message to his son. His advice to his sons—possibly also meaning his students—in chapter 4 is similar to what he says in Proverbs 1:8–9; 2:1–6; 3:1–2, 21–26; 5:1–2; 6:20–22; 7:1–3, 24; and 8:22–36. The words of this chapter are partly taken from advice Solomon recalls hearing from his own father, David.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.