4:15

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

15a
Avoid it; do not travel on it.

15b
Turn from it and pass on by.

This verse describes a situation in which the path of the young man crosses or comes close to the path of wicked people. When this happens, the young man should change his course and keep going without stopping.

4:15a–b

Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it: Notice that the first three commands have similar meanings to the commands in 4:14. By giving one command after another, the father emphasizes that it is important to totally avoid evil behavior. The first verb literally means “avoid” or “shun” (the evil path). The third verb means “swerve aside” or “change direction.”

4:15b

pass on by: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pass on by usually means “cross,” “pass through” or “move from one place to another.” In this context, it means “keep going without stopping.” Other ways to translate this command are:

keep going (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
keep on walking (God’s Word)

General Comment on 4:15a–b

The first meaning lines in the Display for 4:15a and 4:15b keep the figure of walking on a path. The second meaning lines translate the meaning without using this figure of speech.

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