God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 16:32
32Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city.
Proverbs 16:32 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
- New International Version (NIV)Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Context of Proverbs 16:32
30Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious. Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work. 31Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life. Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city. 33The dice are thrown, but the Lord determines every outcome.
Read all of Proverbs 16Proverbs 16:32 word by word
ט֤וֹב אֶ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם מִגִּבּ֑וֹר וּמֹשֵׁ֥ל בְּ֝רוּח֗וֹ מִלֹּכֵ֥ד עִֽיר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- slowאָרֵךְ'ârêk · slowH750
- to angerאַף'aph · face: angerH639
- betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
- than the mightyגִּבּוֹרgibbôr gibbôr · mighty manH1368
- and he that rulethמָשַׁלmâshal · to ruleH4910
- his spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
- than he that takethלָכַדlâkad · to captureH3920
- a cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
Cross-references for Proverbs 16:32
- Proverbs 14:29A person of great understanding is patient, but a short temper is the height of stupidity.
- Proverbs 15:18A hothead stirs up a fight, but one who holds his temper calms disputes.
- Proverbs 19:11A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.
- Psalms 103:8The Lord is compassionate, merciful, patient, and always ready to forgive.
- Ephesians 5:1Imitate God, since you are the children he loves.
- James 1:19Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily.
- Proverbs 16:19Better to be humble with lowly people than to share stolen goods with arrogant people.
- Proverbs 25:28⌞Like⌟ a city broken into ⌞and⌟ left without a wall, ⌞so⌟ is a person who lacks self-control.
- Romans 12:21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.
- Revelation 3:21I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne.
Commentaries on Proverbs 16:32
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 32He that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city - It is much easier to subdue an enemy without than one within. There have been many kings who had conquered nations, and yet were slaves to their own passions. Alexander, who conquered the world, was a slave to intemperate anger, and in a fit of it slew Clytus, the best and most intimate of all his friends, and one whom he loved beyond all others. The spirit of this maxim is so self-evident, that most…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 32Verse 32 To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 32Patience and self-control are more valuable than using force.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3232. (Compare Pr 14:29). taketh a city--that is, by fighting.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 16:32
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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