Proverbs 15:16

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth and turmoil with it.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 16:8 : 8 Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice.
  • 1 Tim 6:6 : 6 Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit.
  • Ps 37:16 : 16 The little bit that a godly man owns is better than the wealth of many evil men,
  • Eccl 5:10-12 : 10 Covetousness The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile. 11 When someone’s prosperity increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes? 12 The sleep of the laborer is pleasant– whether he eats little or much– but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep.
  • Prov 10:22 : 22 The blessing from the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow to it.
  • Prov 28:6 : 6 A poor person who walks in his integrity is better than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich.
  • Eccl 2:10-11 : 10 I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort. 11 Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded:“All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless– like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”
  • Eccl 2:18-23 : 18 Futility of Being a Workaholic So I loathed all the fruit of my effort, for which I worked so hard on earth, because I must leave it behind in the hands of my successor. 19 Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so wisely on earth! This also is futile! 20 So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth. 21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice! 22 Painful Days and Restless Nights What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth? 23 For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile!

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Prov 16:8
    84%

    8Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice.

  • Ps 37:16
    81%

    16The little bit that a godly man owns is better than the wealth of many evil men,

  • Prov 15:17
    79%

    17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred.

  • Prov 19:23
    78%

    23Fearing the LORD leads to life, and one who does so will live satisfied; he will not be afflicted by calamity.

  • Prov 15:6
    78%

    6In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked will be ruined.

  • Prov 17:1
    77%

    1Better is a dry crust of bread where there is quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.

  • Prov 15:15
    76%

    15All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

  • Eccl 4:6
    76%

    6Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind.

  • Prov 22:4
    75%

    4The reward for humility and fearing the LORD is riches and honor and life.

  • Prov 16:16
    75%

    16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

  • Prov 16:19-20
    2 verses
    75%

    19It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.

    20The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

  • Prov 28:6
    74%

    6A poor person who walks in his integrity is better than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich.

  • Prov 19:1
    74%

    1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool.

  • Prov 22:1
    73%

    1A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold.

  • Prov 15:33
    73%

    33The fear of the LORD provides wise instruction, and before honor comes humility.

  • Prov 28:14
    73%

    14Blessed is the one who is always cautious, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into evil.

  • Prov 14:26-27
    2 verses
    72%

    26In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and it will be a refuge for his children.

    27The fear of the LORD is like a life-giving fountain, to turn people from deadly snares.

  • Prov 10:22
    72%

    22The blessing from the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow to it.

  • Prov 13:23
    72%

    23Abundant food may come from the field of the poor, but it is swept away by injustice.

  • Ps 115:13
    72%

    13He will bless his loyal followers, both young and old.

  • Prov 23:17
    72%

    17Do not let your heart envy sinners, but rather be zealous in fearing the LORD all the time.

  • Eccl 7:2-3
    2 verses
    72%

    2It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.

    3Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.

  • Isa 33:6
    71%

    6He is your constant source of stability; he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; he gives all this to those who fear him.

  • Prov 21:20
    71%

    20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has.

  • Prov 13:7
    71%

    7There is one who pretends to be rich and yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor and yet possesses great wealth.

  • Ps 34:9
    71%

    9Fear the LORD, you chosen people of his, for those who fear him lack nothing!

  • Prov 8:13
    71%

    13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride and the evil way and perverse utterances.

  • Prov 3:13-14
    2 verses
    71%

    13Blessings of Obtaining Wisdom Blessed is the one who has found wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding.

    14For her benefit is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than gold.

  • Ps 111:10
    71%

    10To obey the LORD is the fundamental principle for wise living; all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight. He will receive praise forever.

  • Ps 128:1
    71%

    1A song of ascents. How blessed is every one of the LORD’s loyal followers, each one who keeps his commands!

  • Prov 14:13
    71%

    13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

  • Prov 10:27
    71%

    27Fearing the LORD prolongs life, but the life span of the wicked will be shortened.

  • Prov 13:11
    71%

    11Wealth gained quickly will dwindle away, but the one who gathers it little by little will become rich.

  • Prov 1:33
    71%

    33But the one who listens to me will live in security, and will be at ease from the dread of harm.

  • Prov 15:13
    71%

    13A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.

  • Ps 112:1
    71%

    1Praise the LORD! How blessed is the one who obeys the LORD, who takes great delight in keeping his commands.

  • Prov 14:16
    71%

    16A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident.

  • Ps 128:4
    70%

    4Yes indeed, the man who fears the LORD will be blessed in this way.

  • Prov 9:10
    70%

    10The beginning of wisdom is to fear the LORD, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.

  • Eccl 7:5
    70%

    5Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools.

  • Ps 2:11
    70%

    11Serve the LORD in fear! Repent in terror!

  • Prov 15:27
    70%

    27The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.

  • Prov 12:25
    70%

    25Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word brings him joy.

  • Eccl 5:13
    70%

    13Materialism Thwarts Enjoyment of Life Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery.

  • Luke 16:10
    70%

    10“The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

  • Prov 10:2
    70%

    2Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.