Amplified Bible
Proverbs 11:16
16A gracious and good woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect].
Proverbs 11:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
- New International Version (NIV)A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches.
Context of Proverbs 11:16
14Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory. 15He who puts up security and guarantees a debt for an outsider will surely suffer [for his foolishness], But he who hates (declines) being a guarantor is secure [from its penalties]. A gracious and good woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect]. 17The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him], But the cruel and callous man does himself harm. 18The wicked man earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying].
Read all of Proverbs 11Proverbs 11:16 word by word
אֵֽשֶׁת־חֵ֭ן תִּתְמֹ֣ךְ כָּב֑וֹד וְ֝עָרִיצִ֗ים יִתְמְכוּ־עֹֽשֶׁר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 11:16
- Proverbs 31:30Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.
- 1 Samuel 25:32David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day.
- 2 Samuel 20:16Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, hear! Tell Joab, ‘Come here so that I may speak to you.’ ”
- Esther 9:25But when it came before the king, he commanded in writing that Haman’s wicked scheme which he had devised against the Jews was to return on his own head, and that he and his sons should [endure what he planned for the Jews and] be hanged on the gallows.
- Matthew 26:13I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].”
- Luke 8:3and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means [as was the custom for a rabbi’s disciples].
- Luke 10:42but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.”
- Luke 21:2And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.
- Acts 9:39So Peter got up [at once] and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upstairs room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the tunics and robes that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
- Acts 16:14A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a dealer in purple fabrics who was [already] a worshiper of God, listened to us; and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention and to respond to the things said by Paul.
- Romans 16:2that you may receive her in the Lord [with love and hospitality], as God’s people ought to receive one another. And that you may help her in whatever matter she may require assistance from you, for she has been a helper of many, including myself.
- 2 John 1:1The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the elect (chosen) lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not only I, but also all who know and understand the truth—
- Luke 11:21When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his belongings are undisturbed and secure.
Commentaries on Proverbs 11:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A gracious woman retaineth honor - Instead of this clause, the Septuagint have, , "A gracious woman raiseth up honor to the man;" , "But she that hateth righteous things is a throne of dishonor." A good wife is an honor to her husband; and a bad wife is her husband's reproach: if this be so, how careful should a man be whom he marries!Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Or, “The gracious woman wins and keeps honor, as (the conjunction may be so rendered) strong men win riches.”Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Respect is a lasting reward for being kind, while wealth is a temporary prize for being ruthless (see also Proverbs 10:2; 11:18).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. retaineth--or literally, "lay hold of as a support." Honor is to a feeble woman thus as valuable as riches to men.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 11:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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