Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Parallel translations
- WEB It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
- BSB It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
- NKJV Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
- NASB It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud.
- NLT Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
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
It is better to be humble among the poor than to share spoil with the proud. It matters because lowliness with the godly outweighs the gains of arrogant company.
Overview
Following the warning against pride, this proverb commends a lowly spirit among the poor over dividing plunder with the proud. Humble association with the meek is of greater worth than prideful prosperity. It reflects the Beatitude blessing on the poor in spirit and meek (Matthew 5:3-5).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Matt 5:3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Isa 57:15For 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.
- Ps 138:6Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
- Exod 15:9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
- Ps 34:18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
- Isa 9:3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
- Isa 53:12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
- Isa 10:13–15For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:
- Luke 18:13–14And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
- Isa 10:6I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
- Luke 1:51–53He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
- Prov 29:23A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 16:19 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
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