Proverbs 16:17

The path of just men boweth away (from) evils (or The path of the righteous turneth away from evil); the keeper of his soul keepeth his way (safe).

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

In Context

16Wield thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is preciouser than silver. (Possess thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is more precious than silver.)

18Pride goeth before sorrow; and the spirit shall be enhanced before falling (or and the spirit shall be raised up before a fall).

Read all of Proverbs 16

Cross References

Job 1:1In the land of Uz was a man that was called Job; and that man was simple, that is, without guile, and rightful, and dreading God, and going away from evil. (In the land of Uz there was a man who was called Job; and that man was without guile, and upright, and feared God or and revered God, and went away from evil.)

Proverbs 4:24Remove thou a shrewd mouth from thee (or Do not thou speak depraved things); and backbiting lips be far from thee.

Proverbs 19:16He that keepeth the commandment of God, keepeth his soul; but he that chargeth not his way, shall be slain. (He who keepeth God’s commandments, keepeth his life safe; but he who despiseth the Lord’s way, shall die.)

Proverbs 22:5Armours and swords be in the way of a wayward man; but the keeper of his soul goeth away far from those. (Arms, or weapons, and swords be on the way of the wayward; but he who keepeth his life safe goeth far away from them.)

Matthew 24:13but he that shall dwell still [or steadfast] into the end, shall be safe. (but he who shall endure unto the end, shall be saved.)

Acts 24:16In this thing I study without hurting, to have conscience to God, and to men (for)evermore. (In this thing I work diligently, to always have a clear conscience before God, and before men.)

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:17

Pride and Humility. 16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Solomon here not only asserts that it is better to get wisdom than gold ( ch. iii. 14 , viii. 19 ), but he speaks it with assurance, that it is much better, better beyond expression—with admiration ( How much better! ) as one amazed at the disproportion—with an appeal to men's consciences ("Judge in yourselves how much better it is" )—and with an addition to the same purport, that… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 16:17