HUMILITY

Passage: Proverbs 11:1-15

Key verse: 2

NIV

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,(A)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.(B)

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(C)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(D)

3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(E)

4 Wealth(F) is worthless in the day of wrath,(G)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(H)

5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(I)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(J)

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(K)

7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(L)
    all the promise of[a] their power comes to nothing.(M)

8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.(N)

9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.(O)

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(P)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(Q)

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(R)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(S)

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(T)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(U)

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(V)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(W)

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,(X)
    but victory is won through many advisers.(Y)

15 Whoever puts up security(Z) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(AA)

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

11 (A)A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    (B)but a just weight is his delight.
2 (C)When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with (D)the humble is wisdom.
3 (E)The integrity of the upright guides them,
    (F)but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 (G)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
    (H)but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless (I)keeps his way straight,
    but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 (J)The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the treacherous (K)are taken captive by their lust.
7 When the wicked dies, his (L)hope will perish,
    and (M)the expectation of wealth[a] perishes too.
8 (N)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
    and the wicked walks into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 (O)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
    and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but (P)by the mouth of the wicked (Q)it is overthrown.
12 Whoever (R)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever (S)goes about slandering reveals secrets,
    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14 Where there is (T)no guidance, a people falls,
    (U)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 (V)Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
    but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 11:7 Or of his strength, or of iniquity
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Wisdom is vast and varied. We may be wise about one thing but fail miserably at others. Pride is universal and is present in even the brightest of people. Although King Solomon brought great prosperity and peace during his lifetime, he left the kingdom of Israel in great disarray after his death (1 Kings 11). On the other hand, Jesus did not seek power and glory in his time on earth. Instead, he died on the cross and became the resurrected Lord of God's kingdom which has endured and expanded beyond the rise and fall of many empires. Jesus is God who came to earth born as a helpless baby in a manger. He came to love the most needy and wretched people, approachable and welcoming to all.

Pride and arrogance have been the downfall of many powerful people and have hurt many more in their pathway. A little humility goes a long way in creating a community of love and respect that endures for many generations. It takes humility to love and accept all kinds of people, to repent and ask for help, and to recover from failures with dignity and new hope.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be even a little less arrogant today than I was yesterday. Help me to practice the humility of Christ, who did not seek to be served, but to give himself for others.

One Word: Practice humility