New International Version Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. New Living Translation Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. English Standard Version Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. Berean Standard Bible Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. Berean Literal Bible Grey hair is a crown of glory; along the path of righteousness it is found. King James Bible The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. New King James Version The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. New American Standard Bible A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. NASB 1995 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. NASB 1977 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. Legacy Standard Bible Gray hair is a crown of beauty; It is found in the way of righteousness. Amplified Bible The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. Berean Annotated Bible Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. Christian Standard Bible Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness. Holman Christian Standard Bible Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the way of righteousness. American Standard Version The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness. Contemporary English Version Gray hair is a glorious crown worn by those who have lived right. English Revised Version The hoary head is a crown of glory, it shall be found in the way of righteousness. GOD'S WORD® Translation Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life. Good News Translation Long life is the reward of the righteous; gray hair is a glorious crown. International Standard Version Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is obtained by following a righteous path. NET Bible Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness. New Heart English Bible Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is found in the path of righteousness. Webster's Bible Translation The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleGray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. World English Bible Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionGrey hairs [are] a crown of beauty, "" It is found in the way of righteousness. Berean Literal Bible Grey hair is a crown of glory; along the path of righteousness it is found. Young's Literal Translation A crown of beauty are grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found. Smith's Literal Translation Old age a crown of glorying, shall be found in the way of justice. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOld age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice. Catholic Public Domain Version Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice. New American Bible Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by a life that is just. New Revised Standard Version Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe hoary head is a crown of glory and is exalted in the way of righteousness. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Old age is a crown of glory and the way of righteousness is praised. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The hoary head is a crown of glory, It is found in the way of righteousness. Brenton Septuagint Translation Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD…30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. 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.… Cross References Gray hair is a crown of glory; Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old. Proverbs 17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father. Leviticus 19:32 You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD. it is attained along the path of righteousness. Proverbs 12:28 There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death. Psalm 92:12-15 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. / Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. / In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain, … Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. Job 12:12 Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life. Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you. Psalm 92:14 In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain, Job 32:7 I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom. 1 Kings 12:6-8 Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. / They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” / But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. Titus 2:2-3 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance. / Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, / older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. / From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing. Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come. Treasury of Scripture The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. hoary Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. Leviticus 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. Job 32:6,7 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion… if Genesis 47:7-10 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh… 1 Samuel 12:2-5 And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day… 1 Chronicles 29:10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Jump to Previous Attained Beauty Crown Found Gained Glory Gray Grey Hair Hairs Head Hoary Life Righteous Righteousness Splendor WayJump to Next Attained Beauty Crown Found Gained Glory Gray Grey Hair Hairs Head Hoary Life Righteous Righteousness Splendor WayProverbs 16 1. The Plans of the heartGray hair is a crown of glory; In Israel, age was associated with honor, maturity, and the wisdom gained through years of life. Elders were to be treated with respect, and their experience could serve the community. Gray hair is pictured as a crown because it marks a life that has endured and bears visible dignity. Pro 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair… it is attained along the path of righteousness. The honor of old age is joined to a life ordered by God’s commands. Long years are not presented as mere survival, but as a blessing connected with faithful conduct, moral integrity, and reverence for the Lord. Pro 12:28 There is life in the path of righteousness, but… Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom and his role as the king of Israel. His insights into life and godliness are captured in the book of Proverbs. 2. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is rooted in ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction. 3. Elders In the context of this verse, elders in the community were often seen as sources of wisdom and guidance, respected for their life experiences and understanding. Teaching Points The Value of ExperienceGray hair symbolizes a life lived with experience and wisdom. In a culture that often idolizes youth, this verse reminds us of the value and honor that come with age. Righteous Living The path to attaining this "crown of glory" is through righteousness. This suggests that a life lived in accordance with God's principles is one that is truly honorable. Respect for Elders The verse calls for a cultural and personal respect for those who have journeyed through life, encouraging us to seek their wisdom and honor their contributions. Wisdom Over Appearance In a world focused on external appearances, this verse challenges us to value inner wisdom and character over physical attributes. Role Models of Faith Elders who have walked the path of righteousness serve as role models for younger generations, demonstrating the rewards of a faithful life. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 16:31?2. How does Proverbs 16:31 encourage valuing wisdom and righteousness in old age? 3. What role does righteousness play in attaining the "crown of glory"? 4. How can younger generations honor the wisdom of the elderly, as suggested here? 5. Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of wisdom and righteousness in aging? 6. How can we apply the principles of Proverbs 16:31 in our daily lives? 7. How does Proverbs 16:31 define the relationship between age and wisdom? 8. Does Proverbs 16:31 imply that all elderly people are wise? 9. How should Proverbs 16:31 influence our respect for the elderly? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 16? (31) If it be found in the way of righteousness.--Rather, it is found; old age being promised as the reward of obedience. (Comp. Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 4:10; Proverbs 9:11; Proverbs 10:27.)Verse 31. - The hoary head is a crown of glory (Proverbs 20:29). (For "crown," see on Proverbs 17:6.) Old age is the reward of a good life, and therefore is an honour to a man (comp. Proverbs 3:2, 16; Proverbs 4:10; Proverbs 9:11; Proverbs 10:27). If it be found - rather, it shall be found - in the way of righteousness; the guerdon of obedience and holiness; whereas "bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days" (Psalm 55:23). It is well said in the Book of Wisdom (4, 5, etc.), "Honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the grey hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age." Proverbs 16:31 paints gray hair as a visible, God-given crown honoring a life walked along the path of righteousness. Age is not a burden to hide but a testimony to celebrate, challenging elders to keep leading and the young to keep learning, all under the unwavering truth that God rewards faithful living. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Gray hairשֵׂיבָ֑ה (śê·ḇāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7872: Hoary head, old age [is] a crown עֲטֶ֣רֶת (‘ă·ṭe·reṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5850: A crown, wreath of glory; תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת (tip̄·’e·reṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8597: Beauty, glory it is attained תִּמָּצֵֽא׃ (tim·mā·ṣê) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present along the path בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ (bə·ḏe·reḵ) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action of righteousness. צְ֝דָקָ֗ה (ṣə·ḏā·qāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively Additonal Resources Proverbs 16:31 Blue Letter BibleProverbs 16:31 Bible Gateway Proverbs 16:31 Bible.com Proverbs 16:31 NIV |
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