Proverbs 2:13

who leave ¹  the upright ²  paths to walk on the dark ³  ways,

who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

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

These people turn from right ways to walk down dark and evil paths.

Of those who are lost themselves and can't tell a trail from a tumbleweed,

Who give up the way of righteousness, to go by dark roads;

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

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

who leave ¹  the upright ²  paths to walk on the dark ³  ways,

¹ tn The articular plural active participle functions as attributive adjective for אִישׁ (’ish, “man”) in v. 12b, indicating that אִישׁ (“man”) is collective.

² tn Heb “paths of uprightness.” The noun יָשָׁר (yashar, “uprightness; straightness”) is an attributive genitive. The moral life is described in Proverbs as the smooth, straight way (2:13; 4:11). The wicked abandon the clear straight path for an evil, crooked, uncertain path.

³ tn Heb “ways of darkness.” Darkness is often metaphorical for sinfulness, ignorance, or oppression. Their way of life lacks spiritual illumination.