16:8
This proverb compares the living situation of two people. The situation of the person in 16:8a is better than the situation of the person in 16:8b. Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:
8a Better a little with righteousness
8b than great gain with injustice.
The first line describes a poor person who continues to do what is right. This person’s situation in life is better than a person who becomes rich by treating other people unjustly or dishonestly.
This is another four-part “better than” proverb. The four parts are:
A: a poor person (undesirable)
B: does what is right (very desirable)
C: a person who becomes rich (desirable)
D: treats others unjustly (very undesirable)
See the note on 12:9 for more details on this kind of proverb.
16:8a
Better a little with righteousness: This line is similar to 15:16, except that it has righteousness instead of “the fear of the LORD.”
16:8b
than great gain: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gain often refers to crops or produce. Here it refers more generally to income, possessions, or wealth.
with injustice: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “with no justice.” The word “justice” can refer to legal decisions that are just and fair. It can also refer to treating other people honestly and fairly.
Here, “great gain with injustice” probably refers to a large income or great wealth that is gained by dishonesty, cheating, or other unjust means.
General Comment on 16:8a–b
Some other ways to translate this verse are:
Better a few possessions gained honestly than many gained through injustice. (God’s Word)
-or-
It is better to be poor and right than to be wealthy and dishonest. (New Century Version)
-or-
It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income, dishonestly gained. (Good News Translation)
In some languages, it may be difficult to express a complex comparison in one sentence. Another way to translate it is to divide this verse into two or more sentences. For example:
Some people are poor, but they always do what is right. Other people become wealthy, but they get their money by cheating their fellowmen. Whose lives are better? The first kind of people.
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