Proverbs 16 · Verse 17

Proverbs 16:17

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Proverbs 16:17, King James Version

Proverbs 16:17 in other translations

BSBThe highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
WEBThe highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
ASVThe highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
YLTA highway of the upright is, ‘Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.
DARBYThe highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that taketh heed to his way keepeth his soul.
BBEThe highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.
WebsterThe highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

What does Proverbs 16:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. The highway--A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil. keepeth--observes.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 The highway of the upright - The upright man is ever departing from evil; this is his common road: and by keeping on in this way, his soul is preserved.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 16:17 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מְסִלַּ֣תme.si.Lat[the] highway ofH4546
יְ֭שָׁרִיםYe.sha.rimupright [people]H3477
ס֣וּרsur[is] to turn asideH5493
מֵרָ֑עme.Ra'from evilH7451
שֹׁמֵ֥רsho.Mer[is] protectingH8104
נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹnaf.Sholife hisH5315
נֹצֵ֥רno.Tzer[one who] guardsH5341
דַּרְכּֽוֹ\׃dar.Koway hisH1870

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 16:17

  • 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.

  • Proverbs 19:16

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

  • Proverbs 10:9

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

  • Jude 1:21

    Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

  • Revelation 3:10

    Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

  • Titus 2:10-14

    Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; …

  • Proverbs 4:24-27

    Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

  • Hebrews 10:39

    But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

  • Acts 24:16

    And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

  • Matthew 24:13

    But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

  • Acts 10:35

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

  • Jude 1:24

    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
highway.
4:24-27; Isa 35:8; Ac 10:35; 24:16; Tit 2:10-14
he.
10:9; 19:16; Mt 24:13; Heb 10:39; Jude 1:21,24; Re 3:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 16:16

    How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

  • Proverbs 16:17

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

  • Proverbs 16:18

    Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Read all of Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El camino de los rectos es apartarse del mal: su alma guarda el que guarda su camino.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le chemin des hommes droits, c’est de se détourner du mal; celui-là garde son âme qui veille sur sa voie.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Aufrichtigen Straße ist: vom Bösen weichen; wer seinen Weg bewahrt, behütet seine Seele.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Semita justorum declinat mala; custos animæ suæ servat viam suam.