Proverbs 29:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

NIV: Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

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

CSB: A person's pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.

NLT: Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

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

NKJV: A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

The prior lesson identified wrath—meaning an uncontrolled temper—as sinful (Proverbs 29:22). This verse identifies pride as another sin (Proverbs 6:16–19) and predicts its consequences. Eventually, those who act with arrogance will be humiliated. Humility brings honor (Proverbs 11:2). The world may reward ungodly attitudes, briefly (Psalm 73:2–3). But those who ignore God's wisdom and will (Proverbs 1:7) set themselves up for catastrophe (Proverbs 8:32–36; 16:4). Other comments in the book of Proverbs make the same basic point (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12).

Scripture records the lives of two men named Saul. Their experiences illustrate these truths. Saul of the Old Testament became a proud king. Although he was little in his own eyes when he began his reign, he became arrogant. He failed to obey the Lord, and he took matters into his own hands. He died a shrinking, fearful death at his own hands (1 Samuel 31:4–5). The New Testament Saul became the apostle, most often referred to by the Greek version of his name, Paul. Before believing in Jesus (Acts 9:1–9), he was a proud Pharisee with a flawless religious pedigree. However, when he became a believer, he renounced his credentials and humbly served the Lord (Philippians 3:4–9). At the end of his life, he anticipated receiving a crown from the Lord (2 Timothy 4:7–8).

The Old Testament's Saul could not let go of his pride; his story ended in misery and the loss of his earthly crown. The New Testament Saul lost his arrogance, experienced humility, and anticipated a heavenly crown.

Proverbs 29:12–27 completes the collection of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 25:21). This passage discusses various relationships. Common themes are interactions with government leaders, parental discipline, and authority figures. Solomon also makes comments about pride and the inherent conflict between righteousness and evil.

Much of this passage refers to negative consequences of unwise attitudes or behavior: stubbornness leads to brokenness. Lack of self-control brings shame. Ignorant, ungodly rulers spread sin and corruption. Pride leads to humiliation. Most of these statements follow the two-part pattern established elsewhere in the book of Proverbs. The final lesson summarizes the deep difference between those who are godly and those who pursue their own desires.

This concludes the collection of Solomon's proverbs which King Hezekiah's men collected (Proverbs 25:1). Like previous passages, chapter 29 contrasts wisdom and folly, the benefits of heeding God's law and the devastating consequences of disobeying it, and the blessings of righteousness compared to the curses of sin.

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.