But the noble devises noble things; and he will continue in noble things.
Parallel translations
- KJV But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
- BSB But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.
- NKJV But a generous man devises generous things, And by generosity he shall stand.
- NASB But the noble person devises noble plans; And by noble plans he stands.
- NLT But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The noble person plans noble things and stands firm in them. It matters because it sets generous, upright character against the schemer's evil.
Overview
In contrast to the fool and scoundrel, the truly noble devises and persists in honorable, generous deeds. Character is revealed by steady commitment to good. This portrait of integrity anticipates the people God forms under His righteous King, whose hearts are remade to love and pursue what is good.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Acts 11:29–30As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
- Prov 11:24–25There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
- 2 Sam 9:1–13David said, “Is there yet any who is left of Saul’s house, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
- Job 31:16–21“If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
- Luke 6:33–35If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
- Acts 9:39Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
- 2 Cor 8:2how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
- Ps 112:9He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.
- 2 Cor 9:6–11Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 32:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.