Proverbs 22:5

Thorns and snares ¹  are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.

In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them.

The deceitful walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will stay away.

The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick; if you know what's good for you, stay clear of it.

Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; the cautious will keep far from them.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them.

Thorns and snares ¹  are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.

¹ tc Because MT reading צִנִּים (tsinnim, “thorns”) does not make a very good match with “traps,” it has created some difficulty for interpreters. The word “thorns” may be obscure, but it is supported by the LXX (“prickly plants”) and an apparent cognate “thorns” in Num 33:55 and Josh 23:13. But some (including the editors of BHS) suggest changing it to צַמִּים (tsammim, “traps” changing a נ [nun] to a מ [mem]). But BDB 855 s.v. צַמִּים acknowledges that this word is a doubtful word, attested only a couple of times in Job (e.g., 18:9). W. McKane traces a development from the idea of צֵן (tsen, “basket; trap”) to support this change (Proverbs [OTL], 565). The present translation (like many other English versions) has retained “thorns,” even though the parallelism with “traps” is not very good; as the harder reading it is preferred. The variant readings have little textual or philological support, and simplify the line.

sn “Thorns and snares” represent the dangers and threats to life. They would be implied comparisons (hypocatastasis): As a path strewn with thorns and traps, life for the wicked will be filled with dangers and difficulties.