KJV King James Version
How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Proverbs 16:16
How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
WEB World English Bible
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
ASV American Standard Version
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
To get wisdom—how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!
Surrounding context — Proverbs 16
13 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance [is] life; and his favour [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
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Cross-references
Matthew 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?Proverbs 8:10-11Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.Proverbs 8:19My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.Luke 12:21So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.Ecclesiastes 7:12For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence: but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it.Proverbs 3:15-18She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.Proverbs 4:7Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.Job 28:13-28Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.Psalm 119:127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
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