Proverbs 16:19

17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
KJV
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
WEB
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
ASV
Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
DARBY
Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the meek, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
BLB
Better to be lowly spirit among the poor, than to divide plunder with proud ones.
ÅB
Det er bedre å være ydmyk sammen med dem som er i nød, enn å dele bytte med de overmodige.
OTB
Det er bedre å være ydmyk i ånden med de undertrykte enn å dele bytte med de stolte.
B1930
Det er bedre å være ydmyk sammen med dem som er i nød, enn å dele bytte med de overmodige.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 5:3

    “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 138:6

    Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 57:15

    For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 15:9

    The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’

    Read in context
  • Psalms 34:18

    The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.

    Read in context
  • Luke 18:13–14

    But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

    Read in context
  • Luke 1:51–53

    He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

    Read in context