Proverbs 16:8

Proverbs 16:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
• New International Version (NIV)Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.

Context of Proverbs 16:8

6By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart, And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil. 7When 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. 9A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. 10A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative]; His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.

Proverbs 16:8 word by word

טוֹב־מְ֭עַט בִּצְדָקָ֑ה מֵרֹ֥ב תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת בְּלֹ֣א מִשְׁפָּֽט׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• a littleמְעַטme‛aţ me‛âţ · littleH4592
• with righteousnessצְדָקָהtsedâqâh · righteousnessH6666
• than greatרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• revenuesתְּבוּאָהtebû'âh · produceH8393
• without rightמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:8

• Proverbs 15:16Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord Than great treasure and trouble with it.
• Psalms 37:16Better is the little of the righteous [who seek the will of God] Than the abundance (riches) of many wicked (godless).
• 1 Timothy 6:6But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God].
• Proverbs 21:6Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.
• Jeremiah 17:11Like the partridge that hatches eggs which she has not laid, So is he who makes a fortune in ways that are unjust. It will be lost to him before his days are over, And in the end he will be [nothing but] a fool.”
• Micah 6:10Are there not still treasures gained by wickedness In the house of the wicked, And a short (inaccurate) measure [for grain] that is cursed?

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:8

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8Verse 8 A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8Better a little: See also Proverbs 15:16.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. (Compare Pr 15:6, 16, 17).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:8

• Contentment
• Poverty
• Riches

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 16

• 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
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings