Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Parallel translations
- WEB Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.
- BSB He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
- NKJV Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.
- NASB Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the needy.
- NLT The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.
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
God scorns the scornful but gives grace to the humble. Pride invites God's opposition; humility receives his favor.
Overview
The LORD responds to the proud mocker with mockery, but pours grace on the lowly. This principle is so central that both James and Peter quote it (Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5) to ground the call to humble submission before God. The gospel rests on this very pattern: grace comes to those who humble themselves and receive it as a gift in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Jas 4:6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
- 1 Pet 5:5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- Ps 138:6Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
- Prov 9:12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
- Prov 21:24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
- 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.
- Prov 9:7–8He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
- Prov 19:29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
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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 3:34 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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