Proverbs 15:24
New International Version
The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

New Living Translation
The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.

English Standard Version
The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

Berean Standard Bible
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

King James Bible
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

New King James Version
The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.

New American Standard Bible
The path of life leads upward for the wise, So that he may keep away from Sheol below.

NASB 1995
The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below.

NASB 1977
The path of life leads upward for the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol below.

Legacy Standard Bible
The path of life leads upward for the one who has insight That he may turn away from Sheol below.

Amplified Bible
The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below.

Christian Standard Bible
For the prudent the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the discerning the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

American Standard Version
To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

Contemporary English Version
All who are wise follow a road that leads upward to life and away from death.

English Revised Version
To the wise the way of life goeth upward, that he may depart from Sheol beneath.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The path of life for a wise person leads upward in order to turn him away from hell below.

Good News Translation
Wise people walk the road that leads upward to life, not the road that leads downward to death.

International Standard Version
The way of life leads upward for the wise so he may avoid Sheol below.

Majority Standard Bible
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

NET Bible
The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

New Heart English Bible
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

Webster's Bible Translation
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

World English Bible
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A path of life [is] on high for the wise, "" To turn aside from Sheol beneath.

Young's Literal Translation
A path of life is on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.

Smith's Literal Translation
The path of life is above to the understanding one, to depart from hades below.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The path of life is for the wise above, so that he may turn away from the end of Hell.

New American Bible
The path of life leads upward for the prudent, turning them from Sheol below.

New Revised Standard Version
For the wise the path of life leads upward, in order to avoid Sheol below.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The way of life leads upward for the wise, that he may depart from the depths of Sheol.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The Way of Life is an ascent to the understanding one, to turn away from Sheol beneath.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The path of life goeth upward for the wise, that he may depart from the nether-world beneath.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word! 24The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. 25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.…

Cross References
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proverbs 12:28
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.

Isaiah 35:8
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

Matthew 19:16-17
Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” / “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

Psalm 23:3
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

1 John 5:11-12
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. / Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Isaiah 2:3
And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.


Treasury of Scripture

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

way

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Psalm 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 139:24
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

above

Philippians 3:20
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Colossians 3:1,2
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God…

that

Proverbs 2:18
For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

Proverbs 5:5
Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

Proverbs 7:27
Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Jump to Previous
Acting Avoid Below Beneath Depart Downward Grave Guiding Hell High Life Nether-World Path Sheol Turn Underworld Upward Upwards Way Wise Wisely
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Acting Avoid Below Beneath Depart Downward Grave Guiding Hell High Life Nether-World Path Sheol Turn Underworld Upward Upwards Way Wise Wisely
Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














The path of life
This phrase suggests a journey or a way of living that aligns with divine wisdom and righteousness. In Hebrew, the word for "path" (דֶּרֶךְ, derek) often implies a course of conduct or a moral direction. The "path of life" is not merely a physical journey but a spiritual and ethical one, emphasizing a life lived in accordance with God's commandments. Historically, the concept of a "path" in ancient Near Eastern cultures often symbolized one's destiny or fate, but in the biblical context, it is a choice that leads to life and blessing.

leads upward
The direction "upward" signifies progress, elevation, and a movement towards God and His heavenly realm. In the Hebrew mindset, upward movement is often associated with spiritual ascent and drawing closer to God. This upward trajectory contrasts with the downward pull of sin and death. The imagery here is of a life that is continually improving and growing in wisdom and understanding, reflecting a journey towards holiness and eternal life.

for the wise
The "wise" (חָכָם, chakam) in Hebrew refers to those who possess not just knowledge, but the ability to apply it in a godly manner. Wisdom in the biblical sense is deeply connected to the fear of the Lord and obedience to His will. The wise person is one who seeks God's guidance and lives according to His principles, thus ensuring their path leads upward. Historically, wisdom literature in the Bible, including Proverbs, was intended to instruct and guide individuals in living a life pleasing to God.

that he may avoid
This phrase indicates a deliberate action or choice to steer clear of something undesirable. The Hebrew root here implies a conscious decision to turn away from danger or evil. It suggests that the wise person actively seeks to avoid the pitfalls and consequences of a life lived apart from God. This avoidance is not passive but requires vigilance and discernment.

going down to Sheol
"Sheol" (שְׁאוֹל, sheol) in Hebrew is often understood as the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from God. In the Old Testament, Sheol is depicted as a shadowy existence, a destination for all the dead, but particularly feared as the fate of the wicked. The phrase "going down" emphasizes a descent into this undesirable state. For the wise, the path of life leads away from Sheol, symbolizing not just physical death, but spiritual death and separation from God. The avoidance of Sheol underscores the ultimate hope and promise of eternal life for those who follow the path of wisdom.

(24) The way of life is above to the wise.--These words sound like a faint echo of such passages as Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1-2, though the writer's meaning may only have been that the wise man who fears the Lord (Proverbs 1:7) is rewarded with long life on earth (Proverbs 3:16), and escapes death and hell (Proverbs 2:18-19). Comp. Isaiah 38:18-19. . . . Verse 24. - The way of life is above to the wise; Revised Version, to the wise the way of life goeth upward. The writer means primarily that the wise and good lead such a life as to preserve them from death (Proverbs 14:32). The path may be steep and painful, but at any rate it has this compensation - it leads away from destruction. It is obvious to read into the passage higher teaching. The good man's path leads heavenward, to a high life here, to happiness hereafter; his conversation is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), his affections are set on things above (Colossians 3:2). Such an upward life tends to material and spiritual health, as it is added, that he may depart from hell (SheoI) beneath. Primarily, a long and happy life is promised to the man who fears the Lord, as in Proverbs 3:16; secondarily, such a one avoids that downward course which ends in the darkness of hell. Vulgate, "The path of life is above the instructed man, to make him avoid the nethermost (novissimo) hell;" Septuagint, "The thoughts of the prudent man are the ways of life, that turning from Hades he may be safe."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The path
אֹ֣רַח (’ō·raḥ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 734: A well-trodden road, a caravan

of life
חַ֭יִּים (ḥay·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

[leads] upward
לְמַ֣עְלָה (lə·ma‘·lāh)
Preposition-l | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

for the wise,
לְמַשְׂכִּ֑יל (lə·maś·kîl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

that
לְמַ֥עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

he may avoid
ס֝֗וּר (sūr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

going down
מָֽטָּה׃ (māṭ·ṭāh)
Adverb
Strong's 4295: Downward, below, beneath

to Sheol.
מִשְּׁא֥וֹל (miš·šə·’ō·wl)
Preposition-m | Noun - common singular
Strong's 7585: Underworld (place to which people descend at death)


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:24 The path of life leads upward (Prov. Pro Pr)
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