Proverbs 16:6-9,16-19 - Compare All Versions
Proverbs 16:6-9 NIV (New International Version)
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided. When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:16-19 NIV (New International Version)
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
Proverbs 16:6-9 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:16-19 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 16:6-9 NLT (New Living Translation)
Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil. When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them. Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:16-19 NLT (New Living Translation)
How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
Proverbs 16:6-9 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD. When a person’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:16-19 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Get wisdom — how much better it is than gold! And get understanding — it is preferable to silver. The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life. Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble , than to divide plunder with the proud.
Proverbs 16:6-9 KJV (King James Version)
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: And by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness Than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: But the LORD directeth his steps.
Proverbs 16:16-19 KJV (King James Version)
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 16:6-9 NKJV (New King James Version)
In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:16-19 NKJV (New King James Version)
How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul. Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 16:6-9 MSG (The Message)
Guilt is banished through love and truth; Fear-of-GOD deflects evil. When GOD approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand. Far better to be right and poor than to be wrong and rich. We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.
Proverbs 16:16-19 MSG (The Message)
Get wisdom—it’s worth more than money; choose insight over income every time. The road of right living bypasses evil; watch your step and save your life. First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. It’s better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous.
Proverbs 16:6-9 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. When a person’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. The mind of a person plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:16-19 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; One who watches his way protects his life. Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud.
Proverbs 16:6-9 AMP (Amplified Bible)
By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart, And by the fear of the LORD one avoids evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness Than great income [gained] with injustice. [Ps 37:16; Prov 15:16] A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the LORD directs his steps and establishes them. [Ps 37:23; Prov 20:24; Jer 10:23]
Proverbs 16:16-19 AMP (Amplified Bible)
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. [Prov 8:10, 19] The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil; He who guards his way protects his life (soul). Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).
Proverbs 16:6-9 NET (New English Translation)
Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased; through fearing the LORD one avoids evil. When a person’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he even reconciles his enemies to himself. Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice. A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:16-19 NET (New English Translation)
How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver. The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.