Verse
Proverbs 16:31 — The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of…
“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.”
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Read it in context
The verses around Proverbs 16:31.
29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
Verse explanation
The ‘hoary head’ is gray hair — in the culture of the time, growing old was a mark of respect, not embarrassment, because it implied accumulated experience. The qualifier about the way of righteousness makes clear the proverb does not treat old age as automatic worth, but as the crown of a life lived rightly.
From the Proverbs 16 study in Bible in Stories.
Proverbs 16:31 in other versions
The same verse in the 4 Bible versions we have on the site.
- KJV · King James
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
Read the chapter in this version → - ARC · Almeida 1911Português
Corôa de honra são as cãs, achando-se ellas no caminho de justiça.
Read the chapter in this version → - BLIVRE · Bíblia LivrePortuguês
Cabelos grisalhos são uma coroa de honra, [caso] se encontrem no caminho de justiça.
Read the chapter in this version → - VBL · Versión Biblia LibreEspañol
El cabello con canas es como una corona de gloria; solo se obtiene al vivir en rectitud.
Read the chapter in this version →
In other languages: Português (Provérbios 16:31) · Español (Proverbios 16:31)
More verses about old age
- Psalms 92:14They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
- Isaiah 46:4And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even…
- Psalms 71:9Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
- Leviticus 19:32Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.
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