Proverbs 16:17
New International Version
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.

New Living Translation
The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

English Standard Version
The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.

Berean Standard Bible
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

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

New King James Version
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

New American Standard Bible
The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; One who watches his way protects his life.

NASB 1995
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.

NASB 1977
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.

Legacy Standard Bible
The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; He who guards his way keeps his soul.

Amplified Bible
The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil; He who guards his way protects his life (soul).

Christian Standard Bible
The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.

American Standard Version
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

Contemporary English Version
God's people avoid evil ways, and they protect themselves by watching where they go.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The highway of decent people turns away from evil. Whoever watches his way preserves his own life.

Good News Translation
Those who are good travel a road that avoids evil; so watch where you are going--it may save your life.

International Standard Version
The road of the upright circumvents evil, and whoever watches how he lives preserves his life.

Majority Standard Bible
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

NET Bible
The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life.

New Heart English Bible
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

Webster's Bible Translation
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

World English Bible
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A highway of the upright [is] to turn from evil, "" Whoever is preserving his soul is watching his way.

Young's Literal Translation
A highway of the upright is, 'Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.

Smith's Literal Translation
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: to watch his ways the guarding of his soul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.

New American Bible
The path of the upright leads away from misfortune; those who attend to their way guard their lives.

New Revised Standard Version
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their way preserve their lives.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The path of the upright causes one to turn away from evil; he who is careful of his soul safeguards his way.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The path of the upright turns from evil and he that pays attention to his soul keeps his way.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. 17The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. 18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.…

Cross References
Isaiah 35:8
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.

Psalm 119:1
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Isaiah 26:7
The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright.

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

1 Peter 3:11
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

Proverbs 4:26-27
Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. / Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.

2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

Psalm 34:14
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Ephesians 5:15-16
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.

Psalm 119:101
I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.

1 John 3:7
Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.

Proverbs 11:5
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.


Treasury of Scripture

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

highway

Proverbs 4:24-27
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee…

Isaiah 35:8
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

Acts 10:35
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

he

Proverbs 10:9
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Proverbs 19:16
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

Matthew 24:13
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

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Avoids Care Depart Evil Guards Heed Highway Keepeth Keeps Life Preserves Preserveth Preserving Soul Turn Turned Turns Upright Watches Watching Way
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Avoids Care Depart Evil Guards Heed Highway Keepeth Keeps Life Preserves Preserveth Preserving Soul Turn Turned Turns Upright Watches Watching Way
Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














The highway of the upright
The term "highway" in this context refers to a well-trodden path or a main road, symbolizing a clear and righteous way of living. In Hebrew, the word for "highway" is "mesillah," which often denotes a raised or elevated road, suggesting a path that is distinct and set apart. The "upright" are those who live in accordance with God's commandments, embodying integrity and righteousness. Historically, roads were crucial for trade and communication, and a well-maintained highway would be a sign of prosperity and order. Spiritually, this phrase implies that the life of the righteous is marked by clarity and purpose, steering clear of moral pitfalls.

leads away from evil
The phrase "leads away from evil" indicates a deliberate movement or direction. The Hebrew root for "leads" is "sur," which means to turn aside or depart. This suggests an active choice to avoid sin and wrongdoing. In the biblical context, evil is not just a moral failing but a deviation from God's will. The upright, by following their "highway," naturally distance themselves from evil influences and temptations. This reflects the biblical principle that righteousness and wickedness are mutually exclusive paths.

he who guards his way
To "guard" in Hebrew is "shamar," which means to keep, watch, or preserve. This implies vigilance and intentionality in one's conduct. "His way" refers to one's manner of life or course of action. The imagery here is of a watchman or protector, someone who is attentive to the potential dangers that could lead them astray. In a historical sense, cities and roads were often guarded to protect against invaders or thieves, symbolizing the need for spiritual vigilance in one's life.

protects his life
The word "protects" comes from the Hebrew "natsar," meaning to watch over or preserve. "His life" refers to one's soul or being, encompassing both physical and spiritual well-being. In the biblical worldview, life is a precious gift from God, and safeguarding it is of utmost importance. This phrase underscores the promise that those who live righteously and guard their conduct will experience God's protection and blessing. It is a reminder of the divine assurance that accompanies a life committed to God's ways.

(17) The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.--This is the plain way of duty, which lies right before him, which cannot be mistaken, whatever other difficulties he may have. (See above on Proverbs 6:23.)

He that keepeth his way.--That looks well to it.

Verse 17. - The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. To avoid the dangerous byways to which evil leads, one must walk straight in the path of duty (comp. Proverbs 15:19). Septuagint, "The paths of life decline from evil;" and this version adds some paragraphs in illustration, which are not in the Hebrew: "And the ways of righteousness are length of life. He who receiveth instruction will be among the good [or, 'in prosperity,' ἐν ἀγαθοῖς], and he who observeth reproof shall become wise." He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. He who continues in the right way, and looks carefully to his goings, will save himself from ruin and death (Proverbs 13:3). Septuagint, "He who watcheth his own ways keepeth his life." And then is added another maxim, "He that loveth his life will spare his mouth."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The highway
מְסִלַּ֣ת (mə·sil·laṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4546: A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase

of the upright
יְ֭שָׁרִים (yə·šā·rîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

leads away
ס֣וּר (sūr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

from evil;
מֵרָ֑ע (mê·rā‘)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

he who guards
נֹצֵ֥ר (nō·ṣêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5341: To watch, guard, keep

his way
דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃ (dar·kōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

protects
שֹׁמֵ֥ר (šō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

his life.
נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 16:16
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