Verses 15-19 are again the voice of the teacher advising and warning the learner. They link back to the “if” or “suppose” clause of verse 11; and in some languages it will be advisable to repeat part of that clause here: “My son, if they talk like that, don’t you. . ..”

“My son, do not walk in the way with them”: “My son” is as in verses 8 and 10. “Walk” in this context is similar to the way the word is used in Psa 1.1 “who walks not in the counsel of the wicked.” “Walk” here means “to be associated with,” “to share in their conduct,” or “to do as they do.” Contemporary English Version says “Don’t follow anyone like that. . ..” In some languages this may need to be expressed idiomatically; for example, “Don’t put your feet where they walk” or “Stay away from the path they follow.”

“Hold back your foot from their paths” repeats the thought of the first line but uses other terms, “foot” and “path”. Some will find the repetition of meaning adequately stated with “Stay away from the path they follow and don’t put your feet where they walk.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .