Devine Scripture

Proverbs 3:35

What does Proverbs 3:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Proverbs 3:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Proverbs 3:35 means

This concluding verse summarizes the ultimate destinies of the wise and the foolish. 'The wise shall inherit glory' indicates that those who embrace and live by God's wisdom will be crowned with honor, respect, and eternal recognition. Conversely, 'shame shall be the promotion of fools' means that folly leads only to disgrace, dishonor, and ignominy. This stark contrast serves as a final, powerful encouragement to choose the path of wisdom and reject foolishness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Honour do the wise inherit, And fools are bearing away shame!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The wise shall possess glory: the promotion of fools is disgrace.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of the foolish.

Context

This verse serves as a climactic conclusion to the chapter, offering a final, definitive contrast between the ultimate fates of the wise and the foolish. It brings together the themes of wisdom, righteousness, and divine blessing by stating their ultimate outcome. By explicitly tying wisdom to glory and folly to shame, it provides a powerful final incentive for the reader to pursue the path of wisdom, summarizing the chapter's exhortations with an eternal perspective.

v.34Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly.

v.35This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 4:8

    Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.

  • Psalms 73:24

    Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

  • 1 Samuel 2:30

    Therefore Jehovah, the God of Israel, saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now Jehovah saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

  • Proverbs 13:8

    The ransom of a man’s life is his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening.

  • Daniel 12:2

    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

  • Isaiah 65:13

    Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be put to shame;

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