Proverbs 16:32
New International Version
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

New Living Translation
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

English Standard Version
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Berean Standard Bible
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

King James Bible
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

New King James Version
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

New American Standard Bible
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.

NASB 1995
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

NASB 1977
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his own spirit, than he who captures a city.

Amplified Bible
He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier], And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.

Christian Standard Bible
Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s temper, than capturing a city.

American Standard Version
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

Contemporary English Version
Controlling your temper is better than being a hero who captures a city.

English Revised Version
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city.

Good News Translation
It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities.

International Standard Version
Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior, and anyone who has control of his spirit is better than someone who captures a city.

Majority Standard Bible
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

NET Bible
Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.

New Heart English Bible
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

World English Bible
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Better [is] the [one] slow to anger than the mighty, "" And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.

Young's Literal Translation
Better is the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.

Smith's Literal Translation
He slow to anger is, good above the strong; and, he ruling over his spirit above him taking a city,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities.

New American Bible
The patient are better than warriors, and those who rule their temper, better than the conqueror of a city.

New Revised Standard Version
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he who conquers himself than he who takes a city.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that is patient is better than a mighty man, and he that subdues himself, than he that seizes a city.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A man slow to anger is better than a strong man; and he that governs his temper better than he that takes a city.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. 32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. 33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.…

Cross References
James 1:19-20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, / and do not give the devil a foothold.

Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Corinthians 9:25
Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.

2 Timothy 2:24
And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.

Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

Psalm 37:8
Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.


Treasury of Scripture

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.

that is

Proverbs 14:29
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

and he

Proverbs 16:19
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 25:28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














He who is slow to anger
The Hebrew word for "slow" is "’arek," which conveys the idea of being long-suffering or patient. In the ancient world, patience was a virtue that was often overlooked in favor of immediate action or retribution. The phrase "slow to anger" suggests a deliberate and thoughtful approach to emotions, emphasizing the importance of self-control. This aligns with the biblical teaching that God Himself is "slow to anger" (Exodus 34:6), highlighting the divine nature of patience and the call for believers to emulate this attribute.

is better than a warrior
The term "better" in Hebrew is "tov," which implies something that is good, beneficial, or morally superior. In the context of ancient Israel, warriors were highly esteemed for their strength and bravery. However, this proverb elevates the virtue of patience above physical prowess. The comparison to a "warrior" underscores the idea that true strength lies not in physical might but in the ability to govern one's spirit. This reflects a recurring biblical theme that spiritual virtues surpass worldly achievements.

and he who controls his temper
The phrase "controls his temper" translates from the Hebrew "mashal ruach," meaning to rule or have dominion over one's spirit. This concept of self-mastery is central to biblical wisdom literature, which often contrasts the wise and the foolish based on their ability to exercise self-control. In a historical context, the ability to govern one's emotions was seen as a mark of true leadership and wisdom, qualities that were essential for maintaining peace and order within a community.

is greater than one who captures a city
The imagery of capturing a city evokes the idea of military conquest, a significant achievement in the ancient world. However, the proverb suggests that the internal victory of self-control is "greater" than external conquests. This reflects a profound biblical truth that the battles within the human heart are of utmost importance. The Hebrew word for "greater" is "gadol," indicating something of great magnitude or significance. This comparison challenges believers to prioritize spiritual victories over worldly successes, aligning with Jesus' teaching that the kingdom of God is within (Luke 17:21).

(32) He that is slow to anger. . . .--For victory over self is the hardest of all victories. (Comp. 1Corinthians 9:27.)

Verse 32. - He that is slow to anger (Proverbs 14:29) is better than the mighty. The long suffering, non-irascible man is more of a hero than the valiant commander of a great army. One overcomes external foes or obstacles; the other conquers himself; as it is said, And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city (Proverbs 25:28). 'Pirke Aboth,' 4:1, "Who is the hero? The man that restrains his thoughts." Maxims about self-mastery are common enough. Says an unknown poet, "Fortior est qui se quam qui fortissima vincit Moenia, nec virtus altius ire potest." So Publ. Syr., 'Sent.,' 795, "Fortior est qui cupiditates suas, quam qui hostes subjicit." And the mediaeval jingle -

"Linguam fraenare
Plus est quam castra domare."
At the end of this verse the Alexandrian Manuscript of the Septuagint, followed by later hands in some other uncials, adds, "and a man having prudence [is better] than a great farm."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[He who is] slow
אֶ֣רֶךְ (’e·reḵ)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 750: Long

to anger
אַ֭פַּיִם (’ap·pa·yim)
Noun - md
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

[is] better
ט֤וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

than a warrior,
מִגִּבּ֑וֹר (mig·gib·bō·wr)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

and he who controls
וּמֹשֵׁ֥ל (ū·mō·šêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign

his temper [is greater]
בְּ֝רוּח֗וֹ (bə·rū·ḥōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

than one who captures
מִלֹּכֵ֥ד (mil·lō·ḵêḏ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere

a city.
עִֽיר׃ (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:32 One who is slow to anger (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 16:31
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