Proverbs 29:23
New International Version
Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

New Living Translation
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

English Standard Version
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

Berean Standard Bible
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

King James Bible
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

New King James Version
A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

New American Standard Bible
A person’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

NASB 1995
A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

NASB 1977
A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Legacy Standard Bible
A man’s lofty pride will bring him low, But a lowly spirit will take hold of glory.

Amplified Bible
A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down, But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Christian Standard Bible
A person’s pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A person’s pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.

American Standard Version
A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.

Contemporary English Version
Too much pride brings disgrace; humility leads to honor.

English Revised Version
A man's pride shall bring him low: but he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honour.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A person's pride will humiliate him, but a humble spirit gains honor.

Good News Translation
Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.

International Standard Version
A person's pride will bring about his downfall, but the humble in spirit will gain honor.

Majority Standard Bible
A man?s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

NET Bible
A person's pride will bring him low, but one who has a lowly spirit will gain honor.

New Heart English Bible
A man's pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.

Webster's Bible Translation
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.

World English Bible
A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The pride of man humbles him, "" And humility of spirit upholds honor.

Young's Literal Translation
The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour.

Smith's Literal Translation
A man's pride shall bring him low: and honor shall uphold him humble of spirit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Humiliation follows the arrogant. And glory shall uphold the humble in spirit.

New American Bible
Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.

New Revised Standard Version
A person’s pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A man's pride shall bring him low; but his meekness shall add to his honor.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The pride of a son of man will humiliate him and his humility will increase honor to him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall attain to honour.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Pride brings a man low, but the Lord upholds the humble-minded with honour.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Stiff-Necked will Be Destroyed
22An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 23A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. 24A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.…

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.”

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

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

Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

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

Galatians 6:3
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

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

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

Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.


Treasury of Scripture

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.

man's

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

2 Chronicles 32:25,26
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem…

2 Chronicles 33:10-12,23,24
And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken…

honour

Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Deuteronomy 8:2,3,16
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no…

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

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Proverbs 29
1. observations of public government
15. and of private
22. Of anger, pride, thievery, cowardice and corruption














A man's pride
The phrase "A man's pride" refers to the inner attitude of self-exaltation and arrogance that can reside within a person. In Hebrew, the word for pride is "גַּאֲוָה" (ga'avah), which conveys a sense of haughtiness or loftiness. Throughout Scripture, pride is consistently portrayed as a vice that leads to downfall. Historically, pride has been seen as the original sin, as it was pride that led to Lucifer's rebellion against God. In a conservative Christian perspective, pride is viewed as a barrier to a right relationship with God, as it places self above the Creator.

will bring him low
This phrase underscores the inevitable consequence of pride. The Hebrew verb "שָׁפֵל" (shafel) means to be brought low or to be humbled. The imagery here is of a person being cast down from a high position. Biblically, this principle is illustrated in the lives of many, such as King Nebuchadnezzar, whose pride led to his temporary downfall and madness (Daniel 4). The conservative Christian view emphasizes that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6), and thus, pride leads to spiritual and often physical ruin.

but a humble spirit
In contrast to pride, "a humble spirit" is characterized by meekness and lowliness of heart. The Hebrew word "שְׁפַל רוּחַ" (shefal ruach) suggests a disposition that is modest and unassuming. Humility is a virtue highly esteemed in Scripture, as it reflects a proper understanding of one's position before God. Jesus Christ exemplified ultimate humility, as described in Philippians 2:5-8, where He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross. In a conservative Christian context, humility is seen as essential for receiving God's grace and favor.

will obtain honor
The promise that a humble spirit "will obtain honor" is a divine principle that runs counter to worldly expectations. The Hebrew word for honor, "כָּבוֹד" (kavod), implies glory, respect, and dignity. This honor is not self-derived but is bestowed by God and others as a result of one's humility. Historically, figures like Joseph and Daniel, who exhibited humility, were elevated to positions of great honor. From a conservative Christian perspective, this principle encourages believers to pursue humility, trusting that God will exalt them in due time (1 Peter 5:6). The ultimate honor for the humble is eternal life and glory with Christ.

(23) Honour shall uphold the lowly in spirit.--Rather, the lowly in spirit shall lay hold upon honour. (Comp. Proverbs 18:12.)

Verse 23. - A man's pride shall bring him low. The same thought is found in Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 25:6, etc.; Luke 14:11. Honour shall uphold the humble in spirit; better, as the Revised Version, he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honour (comp. Proverbs 11:16; Isaiah 57:15). The humble man does not seek honour, but by his life and action unconsciously attains it (comp. Job 22:29). Septuagint, "Haughtiness brings a man low, but the lowly-minded the Lord upholdeth with glory."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A man’s
אָ֭דָם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

pride
גַּאֲוַ֣ת (ga·’ă·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1346: Arrogance, majesty, ornament

will bring him low,
תַּשְׁפִּילֶ֑נּוּ (taš·pî·len·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8213: To be or become low, to be abased

but a humble
וּשְׁפַל־ (ū·šə·p̄al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8217: Depressed

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

will obtain
יִתְמֹ֥ךְ (yiṯ·mōḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8551: To sustain, to obtain, keep fast, to help, follow close

honor.
כָּבֽוֹד׃ (kā·ḇō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride brings him low (Prov. Pro Pr)
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