Proverbs 2:13 kjv

Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

Proverbs 2:13 nkjv

From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness;

Proverbs 2:13 niv

who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

Proverbs 2:13 esv

who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,

Proverbs 2:13 nlt

These men turn from the right way
to walk down dark paths.

Proverbs 2 verses

Proverbs 2 13 Meaning

Proverbs 2:13 describes individuals who intentionally abandon the moral standard of righteousness. These are people who forsake the course of conduct aligned with integrity and instead choose a life characterized by moral obscurity and evil deeds. Their turning away is a deliberate act, rejecting truth and choosing falsehood, hiding their actions from light and judgment.

Proverbs 2 13 Context

Proverbs chapter 2 opens with an earnest exhortation from the father to the son to earnestly seek, value, and accept wisdom, understanding, and discretion (Prov 2:1-5). It presents wisdom as a divine gift, flowing from the Lord, which grants knowledge and discernment (Prov 2:6-9). The promise is that wisdom will enter the son's heart, leading to delightful knowledge (Prov 2:10). This acquired discretion and understanding will then serve as protection, guarding him from harmful paths and deceitful individuals (Prov 2:11-12). Proverbs 2:13, then, precisely defines one category of those "evil men" or "perverse speakers" from whom wisdom protects: those who actively choose to depart from uprightness and embrace moral darkness. The context emphasizes wisdom's protective power against such willful abandonment of righteousness.

Proverbs 2 13 Word analysis

• who forsake: The Hebrew word is עָזַב (azav). It means to abandon, leave, desert, or renounce. This signifies a deliberate, conscious act of turning away, rather than a passive drifting. It implies a known standard of what is good being intentionally discarded.
• the paths: The Hebrew word is אֹרְחוֹת (orchot). It refers to distinct, established routes or tracks. Metaphorically, it speaks of fixed patterns of life or habitual conduct.
• of uprightness: The Hebrew word is יֹשֶׁר (yosher). This term denotes straightness, rectitude, integrity, or moral righteousness. It speaks to a standard of conduct that is true, fair, and morally sound, aligned with divine truth.
• to walk: The Hebrew word is הָלַךְ (halakh). It means to go, to journey, or metaphorically, to conduct one's life. Here, it signifies the adopted lifestyle or course of action.
• in the ways: The Hebrew word is דְּרָכִים (drachim). This is a broader term than "paths" (orchot), often referring to one's entire course of life, manner, or custom. It highlights the chosen direction and lifestyle.
• of darkness: The Hebrew word is חֹשֶׁךְ (choshekh). This term denotes literal darkness, but consistently in biblical wisdom literature, it functions as a metaphor for moral evil, spiritual blindness, secrecy, ignorance, sin, and divine judgment. It stands in stark contrast to "light," which symbolizes truth, knowledge, righteousness, and God's presence.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "who forsake the paths of uprightness": This phrase powerfully describes a volitional act of departure from established moral norms. It’s not an accidental stumble but a deliberate rejection of a clearly defined, righteous way of living. It underscores the active nature of their rebellion against moral truth and integrity. They reject what is good and straight.
• "to walk in the ways of darkness": This complements the first part by defining what they embrace instead. "Ways of darkness" signifies a life characterized by evil, hidden deeds, and spiritual or moral blindness. This chosen lifestyle flourishes where accountability and truth are absent, reinforcing the idea of a conscious move away from God's moral light. The two clauses together form a vivid antithesis, emphasizing the profound and dangerous shift in moral allegiance.

Proverbs 2 13 Bonus section

The metaphor of "paths" and "ways" for one's life journey is ubiquitous in wisdom literature, illustrating life as a series of choices between good and evil, wisdom and folly. The intensity of the phrase "ways of darkness" suggests not merely a lack of light but an active immersion in moral obscurity, where deeds thrive hidden from public view and divine scrutiny. This choice often springs from a love for sin and a desire for secrecy, which opposes the transparency that wisdom fosters. This intentional turning is foundational to understanding many warnings against the wicked in Proverbs. It is a rebellion against divine order and an embrace of spiritual chaos.

Proverbs 2 13 Commentary

Proverbs 2:13 provides a clear, concise portrait of those who intentionally choose a wicked path. This verse is not describing those who merely stumble or make mistakes, but those who forsake what is upright. The verb "forsake" indicates a deliberate turning away from a known standard of righteousness and integrity. They abandon the "paths of uprightness" (יֹשֶׁר), which signify a straight, morally true, and honest life, mirroring God's character. Instead, they choose to "walk in the ways of darkness" (חֹשֶׁךְ), indicating a lifestyle characterized by moral corruption, spiritual ignorance, hidden deeds, and rebellion against divine truth. This contrast between light and darkness highlights their profound departure from the morally illuminating truth of God's wisdom. This is a crucial warning for the young to avoid associating with such individuals, whose choices lead to destructive outcomes. For instance, imagine a person who consistently seeks loopholes in ethical guidelines for personal gain, consciously abandoning transparency for secretive deals. This demonstrates a clear preference for "ways of darkness" over "paths of uprightness."