HE SHOWS FAVOR TO THE HUMBLE

Passage: Proverbs 3:27-35

Key verse: 34

NIV

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.(A)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.(B)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy(C) the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse(D)
    but takes the upright into his confidence.(E)
33 The Lord’s curse(F) is on the house of the wicked,(G)
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.(H)
34 He mocks(I) proud mockers(J)
    but shows favor to the humble(K) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

27 (A)Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[a]
    when it is in your power to do it.

28 (B)Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
    tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
29 (C)Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
    who (D)dwells trustingly beside you.
30 (E)Do not contend with a man for no reason,
    when he has done you no harm.
31 (F)Do not envy (G)a man of violence
    and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for (H)the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the upright are (I)in his confidence.
33 (J)The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
    but he (K)blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Toward the (L)scorners he (M)is scornful,
    (N)but to the humble he gives favor.[b]
35 The wise will inherit honor,
    but fools get[c] disgrace.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 3:27 Hebrew Do not withhold good from its owners
  2. Proverbs 3:34 Or grace
  3. Proverbs 3:35 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Be eager to do good (27-31) To love God is to love our neighbors. Here are five things we should not do to our neighbors: Do not withhold good; do not say, "come back tomorrow" when you already have; do not plot harm; do not accuse for no reason; and do not envy the violent. We should not delay but be eager to do good as Jesus commands, "Do to others what you would have them do to you." "Love your enemies." 2. The Lord detests the perverse (32-35) Here are four things the Lord detests and curses: the perverse, the wicked, proud mockers, and fools who ignore God's word. But God blesses the upright, the righteous, the humble and the wise, who pay full attention to God's word. "God's blessing on the humble and punishing the proud" are repeated lessons in the Bible.

Prayer: Lord, help me to love my neighbors as you loved me. Let me humble myself before God and others.

One Word: Love your neighbors