12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.
12 I don't want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.
12 When you walk, you won't be held back; when you run, you won't stumble.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 4:12
Commentary on Proverbs 4:1-13
(Read Proverbs 4:1-13)
We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.