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Book of Proverbs - Chapter 3 - Verse 35

3:35
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Meaning

This verse emphasizes the importance of wisdom and foolishness in determining one's ultimate fate. The wise are set to inherit glory, suggesting that those who possess wisdom will be rewarded with honor, respect, and success. In contrast, fools are destined to experience shame as their promotion. This implies that those who act foolishly, make poor decisions, and lack understanding will ultimately face embarrassment, disappointment, and failure. The verse serves as a reminder to prioritize wisdom and knowledge in order to achieve positive outcomes and avoid the negative consequences of foolishness. It encourages readers to seek wisdom, make wise choices, and avoid foolish behavior in order to secure a bright and honorable future.

Theological Overview

In this verse, the wise are contrasted with fools in terms of their ultimate outcome. The theological interpretation of this verse may lead one to consider the concept of wisdom as a key virtue in the biblical context. In the Hebrew Bible, wisdom is often associated with fear of the Lord, discernment, and adherence to divine laws. Therefore, the wise are those who seek to understand and follow God's will, leading to an inheritance of glory. On the other hand, fools are characterized by their ignorance or rejection of divine wisdom, resulting in shame as their reward. This verse underscores the importance of acquiring wisdom through seeking understanding and living according to God's principles. Moreover, word studies on terms such as "glory" and "shame" could further reveal the depth of meaning in this verse, emphasizing the contrast between honor and disgrace that accompanies the choices made by the wise and the foolish, respectively.

American Standard Version

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