For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
MESSAGE
Bad temper is contagious--don't get infected.
NKJV
Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.
PHILIPS
RWEBSTR
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
GWV
or you will learn his ways and set a trap for yourself.
NET
lest you learn* his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.*
NET
22:25 lest you learn1963
tn The verb פֶּן־תֶּאֱלַף (pen-te’elaf) is translated “lest you learn.” The idea is more precisely “become familiar with his ways.” The construction indicates that if one associates with such people he will become like them (cf. TEV “you might learn their habits”).
his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.1964
sn The warning in this proverb is to avoid associating with a hothead because his influence could be fatal (a similar idea is found in the Instruction of Amenemope, chap. 9, 11:13-14 [ANET 423]).