Proverbs 22 · Verse 5

Proverbs 22:5

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Proverbs 22:5, King James Version

Proverbs 22:5 in other translations

BSBThorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
WEBThorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
ASVThorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
YLTThorns--snares are in the way of the perverse, Whoso is keeping his soul is far from them.
DARBYThorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.
BBEThorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
WebsterThorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

What does Proverbs 22:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. he that ... them--Those who properly watch over their own souls are thus preserved from the dangers which attend the way of perverse men (Pr 16:17).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Thorns and snares - Various difficulties, trials, and sufferings.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
The way of sin is vexatious and dangerous. But the way of duty is safe and easy.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 22:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

צִנִּ֣יםtzi.NimthornsH6791
פַּ֭חִיםPa.chimsnaresH6341
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְbe.De.rekh[are] in [the] path ofH1870
עִקֵּ֑שׁ'i.Kesha perverse [person]H6141
שׁוֹמֵ֥רsho.Mer[one who] guardsH8104
נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹnaf.Shoself hisH5315
יִרְחַ֥קyir.Chakhe will be farH7368
מֵהֶֽם\׃me.Hemfrom them

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 22:5

  • Proverbs 16:17

    The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

  • Jude 1:20-21

    But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

  • 1 John 5:18

    We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

  • Proverbs 15:19

    The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

  • Psalms 18:26-27

    With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.

  • Proverbs 19:16

    He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

  • Job 18:8

    For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.

  • Proverbs 13:15

    Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

  • Psalms 91:1

    He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

  • Proverbs 13:3

    He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

  • Joshua 23:13

    Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you.

  • Psalms 11:6

    Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Thorns.
13:15; 15:19; Jos 23:13; Job 18:8; Ps 11:6; 18:26,27
he.
13:3; 16:17; 19:16; Ps 91:1; 1Jo 5:18; Jude 1:20,21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 22:4

    By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

  • Proverbs 22:5

    Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

  • Proverbs 22:6

    Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Read all of Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Espinas y lazos hay en el camino del perverso: el que guarda su alma se alejará de ellos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Il y a des épines, des pièges, sur la voie du pervers; celui qui garde son âme s’en éloigne.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Dornen, Schlingen sind auf dem Wege des Verkehrten; wer seine Seele bewahrt, hält sich fern von ihnen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Arma et gladii in via perversi; custos autem animæ suæ longe recedit ab eis.