Proverbs 16:18
New International Version
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

New Living Translation
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

English Standard Version
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Berean Standard Bible
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

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

New King James Version
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

New American Standard Bible
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

NASB 1995
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

NASB 1977
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

Legacy Standard Bible
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

Amplified Bible
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Christian Standard Bible
Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

American Standard Version
Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Contemporary English Version
Too much pride will destroy you.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Pride precedes a disaster, and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall.

Good News Translation
Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.

International Standard Version
Pride precedes destruction; an arrogant spirit appears before a fall.

Majority Standard Bible
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

NET Bible
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

New Heart English Bible
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Webster's Bible Translation
Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

World English Bible
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Pride [is] before destruction, "" And before stumbling—a haughty spirit.

Young's Literal Translation
Before destruction is pride, And before stumbling -- a haughty spirit.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Pride before a breaking, and a spirit lifted up before a fall.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted before a fall.

New American Bible
Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

New Revised Standard Version
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Disgrace goes before destruction, and pride before misfortune.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Disgrace is before ruin and pride of spirit before misfortune.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
17The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. 18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.…

Cross References
James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

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.”

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Isaiah 2:11-12
The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. / For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—

Obadiah 1:3-4
The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ / Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

Daniel 4:30-32
the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” / While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you. / You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”

1 Corinthians 10:12
So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.

Isaiah 14:12-15
How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...

Ezekiel 28:17
Your heart grew proud of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor; so I cast you to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings.

2 Chronicles 26:16
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

2 Samuel 22:28
You save an afflicted people, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Proverbs 11:2
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 17:19
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

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Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














Pride
The Hebrew word for "pride" is "גַּאֲוָה" (ga'avah), which conveys a sense of arrogance, haughtiness, and self-exaltation. In the biblical context, pride is often depicted as an attitude that elevates oneself above others and, more importantly, above God. Historically, pride is seen as the original sin that led to the fall of Lucifer, as described in Isaiah 14:12-15. This serves as a cautionary tale for believers, emphasizing the importance of humility and submission to God's will. Pride is a barrier to spiritual growth and a relationship with God, as it blinds individuals to their need for His grace and guidance.

goes before
The phrase "goes before" suggests a sequence or progression, indicating that pride is a precursor to what follows. In the Hebrew text, the verb "לִפְנֵי" (lifnei) is used, which means "before" or "in the presence of." This implies that pride sets the stage for subsequent events, acting as a catalyst for negative outcomes. Theologically, this sequence underscores the principle of cause and effect in moral and spiritual realms. Pride, when unchecked, leads to a downfall, as it distorts one's perception of reality and creates a false sense of security.

destruction
The Hebrew word for "destruction" is "שֶׁבֶר" (shever), which can mean breaking, ruin, or collapse. This term vividly illustrates the inevitable consequence of pride. In a historical and scriptural context, destruction is often portrayed as divine judgment or the natural result of sinful behavior. The Bible is replete with examples of individuals and nations that fell due to pride, such as Pharaoh in Exodus or King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. For believers, this serves as a warning that pride not only leads to personal ruin but can also have far-reaching effects on communities and nations.

and a haughty spirit
The phrase "and a haughty spirit" further elaborates on the nature of pride. The Hebrew word for "haughty" is "רוּחַ" (ruach), which means spirit, wind, or breath, combined with "גָּבַהּ" (gavah), meaning high or exalted. A haughty spirit is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance and disdain for others. This attitude is antithetical to the humility that God desires from His followers. In the New Testament, Jesus exemplifies humility, teaching that greatness in the kingdom of God is achieved through servanthood and meekness (Matthew 20:26-28).

before a fall
The phrase "before a fall" completes the warning by illustrating the ultimate consequence of pride and a haughty spirit. The Hebrew word for "fall" is "מִכְשׁוֹל" (mikhshol), which can mean stumbling or downfall. This imagery is powerful, as it conveys the sudden and often unexpected nature of a fall. In the biblical narrative, a fall is not merely a physical or social collapse but a spiritual one, leading to separation from God. Theologically, this serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and self-examination, encouraging believers to cultivate humility and reliance on God's strength rather than their own.

(18) Pride goeth before destruction.--In contrast to the blessing promised to humility in Proverbs 15:33.

Verse 18. - Pride goeth before destruction. A maxim continually enforced (see Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 17:19; Proverbs 18:12). Here is the contrast to the blessing on humility promised (Proverbs 15:33). A haughty spirit - a lifting up of spirit - goeth before a fall (comp. Daniel 4:29, etc). Thus, according to Herodotus (7:10), Artabanus warned the arrogant Xerxes, "Seest thou how God strikes with the thunder animals which overtop others, and suffers them not to vaunt themselves, but the small irritate him not? And seest thou how he hurls his bolts always against the mightiest buildings and the loftiest trees? For God is wont to cut short whatever is too highly exalted" (comp. Horace, 'Carm.,' 2:10.9, etc.). Says the Latin adage, "Qui petit alta nimis, retro lapsus ponitur imis." Caesar, 'Bell. Gall.,' 1:14, "Consuesse Deos immortales, quo gravius homines ex commutatione rerum doleant, quos pro sceiere eorum ulcisci velint, his secundiores interdum re, et diuturuiorem impunitatem concedere." The Chinese say, "Who flies not high falls not low;" and, "A great tree attracts the wind." The Basque proverb remarks, "Pride sought flight in heaven, fell to hell." And an Eastern one, "What is extended will tear; what is long will break" (Lane).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Pride
גָּא֑וֹן (gā·’ō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1347: Arrogance, majesty, ornament

goes before
לִפְנֵי־ (lip̄·nê-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

destruction,
שֶׁ֥בֶר (še·ḇer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7667: A breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash

and a haughty
גֹּ֣בַהּ (gō·ḇah)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1363: Elation, grandeur, arrogance

spirit
רֽוּחַ׃ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

before
וְלִפְנֵ֥י (wə·lip̄·nê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

a fall.
כִ֝שָּׁל֗וֹן (ḵiš·šā·lō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3783: A tottering, ruin


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction and a haughty (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 16:17
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