Proverbs 3:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

NIV: The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.

NASB: The wise will inherit honor, But fools increase dishonor.

CSB: The wise will inherit honor, but he holds up fools to dishonor.

NLT: The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!

KJV: The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

NKJV: The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Wisdom leads to honor, whereas foolishness leads to disgrace. In Proverbs, "wisdom" is the ability to act according to godly knowledge. "Foolishness" does not mean stupidity, or a lack of information. Rather, "fools" are closedminded, stubborn, arrogant, hardened to spiritual truth, and they ridicule godly perspectives. These consequences of godliness versus foolishness are generally true in earthly life (Proverbs 3:31; Psalm 73:16–20), but they are absolutely the case in eternity.

Philippians 3:18 describes many who despise spiritual truth as enemies of the cross of Christ. The following verse says plainly, "their end is destruction" (Philippians 3:19). Someday, all who are foolish in God's sight will end up like the rich farmer who put his confidence in material possessions instead of in God. When he boasted that he could eat, drink, and be merry because he had so many goods stored up, God called him a fool and required his soul that very night (Luke 12:20).

The wise, by contrast, are those who trust in God and do His will. They will receive honor. The apostle Paul, for example, obeyed God's will and looked forward to receiving the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8). He added in the same verse that the crown of righteousness would also be awarded to all who have loved Jesus' appearing. Fools have nothing to gain but everything to lose, whereas the wise have nothing to lose but everything to gain!

Proverbs 3:27–35 gives general principles about our relationships, both with other people and with God. Solomon instructs the reader to show honor, integrity, trustworthiness, peace, and contentment towards others. This passage also contrasts the response of God to those who defy His will, versus His actions towards those who honor Him.

This chapter of Proverbs is addressed to Solomon's son. The term, ''my son'' occurs 15 times in chapters 1—7. The words may apply to one of Solomon's students in his court or to one of his biological sons. The application of wisdom in Proverbs 3 shows the benefits of trusting in the Lord with one's whole heart. Solomon credits obedience to and trust in God for longevity, success, guidance, health, reward that exceeds monetary wealth, enjoyment, peace, security, confidence, excellent human relationships, the Lord's blessing and favor, and honor. As with all ''proverbs,'' biblical or otherwise, their purpose is to impart general wisdom, not absolute prophecy. Like the original audience, modern readers are not expected to see these guidelines as absolute guarantees for any one person.

This passage lies in the second section of the book, found in chapters 1—9. The author, King Solomon, reigned over Israel from 971 to 931 BC. The first section of Proverbs, the preface, is found in Proverbs 1:1–7. The third section, chapters 10—22, were also written by Solomon. These proverbs were likely written by Solomon in his middle years, whereas he probably wrote Song of Songs in his early adulthood, and Ecclesiastes near the end of his life. As in the first two chapters, wisdom is stressed in Proverbs 3.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.