Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. New Living Translation Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. English Standard Version Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. Berean Standard Bible Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. King James Bible Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. New King James Version Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. New American Standard Bible Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. NASB 1995 Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. NASB 1977 Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. Legacy Standard Bible Better is a little with righteousness Than great produce with injustice. Amplified Bible Better is a little with righteousness Than great income [gained] with injustice. Christian Standard Bible Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. Holman Christian Standard Bible Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. American Standard Version Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice. Contemporary English Version It's better to be honest and poor than to be dishonest and rich. English Revised Version Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. GOD'S WORD® Translation Better a few [possessions] gained honestly than many gained through injustice. Good News Translation It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income, dishonestly gained. International Standard Version A little gain with righteousness is better than great income without justice. Majority Standard Bible Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. NET Bible Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice. New Heart English Bible Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. Webster's Bible Translation Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right. World English Bible Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBetter [is] a little with righteousness, "" Than abundance of increase without justice. Young's Literal Translation Better is a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice. Smith's Literal Translation Good a little with justice above abundance of increase with no judgment. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBetter is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity. Catholic Public Domain Version Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity. New American Bible Better a little with justice, than a large income with injustice. New Revised Standard Version Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBetter is a little with righteousness than great ingathering acquired unjustly. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Better is a little in righteousness than a multitude of gain which is not by justice. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Better is a little with righteousness Than great revenues with injustice.He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD…7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him. 8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. 9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.… Cross References Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. / For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Psalm 37:16 Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind. 1 Peter 5:5-6 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” / Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. Psalm 119:36-37 Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain. / Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. Proverbs 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? Psalm 62:10 Place no trust in extortion or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. Proverbs 28:6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse. Treasury of Scripture Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. is Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Psalm 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 1 Timothy 6:6-9 But godliness with contentment is great gain… great Proverbs 21:6,7 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death… Jeremiah 17:11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. Micah 6:10 Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? Jump to Previous Abundance Better Gain Great Income Increase Injustice Justice Little Revenues Right Righteousness Wealth WrongdoingJump to Next Abundance Better Gain Great Income Increase Injustice Justice Little Revenues Right Righteousness Wealth WrongdoingProverbs 16 1. The Plans of the heartBetter a little with righteousness This phrase emphasizes the value of righteousness over material wealth. In biblical context, righteousness is often associated with living in accordance with God's laws and commands. The idea that a small amount of possessions is preferable when gained righteously aligns with teachings found throughout Scripture, such as in Psalm 37:16, which states, "Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked." This reflects a consistent biblical theme that spiritual integrity and moral uprightness are more valuable than material abundance. The concept is also echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33 to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," suggesting that spiritual priorities should take precedence over earthly wealth. than great gain with injustice Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His writings often focus on the moral and ethical teachings that guide righteous living. 2. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is rooted in ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and guiding the community in godly living. 3. Righteousness and Injustice These are not persons or places but key themes in this verse. Righteousness refers to living in accordance with God's standards, while injustice involves actions that are morally wrong or unfair. Teaching Points Value of Righteousness Over WealthRighteousness should be prioritized over material gain. True contentment and peace come from living a life that aligns with God's will, not from accumulating wealth through unjust means. Contentment with Little Embrace contentment with what you have, recognizing that God's provision is sufficient. Trust that living righteously, even with little, is more fulfilling than acquiring wealth through unethical practices. Integrity in Financial Matters In all financial dealings, maintain integrity and honesty. Avoid the temptation to engage in dishonest practices for the sake of financial gain. Eternal Perspective Focus on eternal values rather than temporary material success. Consider how your actions and decisions align with God's eternal kingdom. Trust in God's Provision Trust that God will provide for your needs as you seek to live righteously. He is faithful to care for those who prioritize His kingdom and righteousness.Verse 8. - Better is a little with righteousness (Proverbs 15:16; Psalm 37:16). "Righteousness" may mean here a holy life or just dealing; as without right, or, with injustice, in the second clause, may refer either generally wickedness, or specially to fraud and oppression (Jeremiah 22:13). Says Theognis - Βούλεο δ εὐσεβέων ὀλίγοις σὺν χρήμασιν οἰκεῖν "Wish thou with scanty means pious to live, Λεπτῶς καλῶς ζῇν κρεῖσσον η} λαμπρῶς κακῶς. Septuagint, "Better is small getting (λῆψις) with righteousness, than great revenues with iniquity" (see on Proverbs 15:29). Hebrew Betterטוֹב־ (ṭō·wḇ-) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good a little מְ֭עַט (mə·‘aṭ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few with righteousness בִּצְדָקָ֑ה (biṣ·ḏā·qāh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively than great מֵרֹ֥ב (mê·rōḇ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness gain תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת (tə·ḇū·’ō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8393: Product, revenue with injustice. בְּלֹ֣א (bə·lō) Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no Links Proverbs 16:8 NIVProverbs 16:8 NLT Proverbs 16:8 ESV Proverbs 16:8 NASB Proverbs 16:8 KJV Proverbs 16:8 BibleApps.com Proverbs 16:8 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 16:8 Chinese Bible Proverbs 16:8 French Bible Proverbs 16:8 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than (Prov. Pro Pr) |
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