New King James Version
Jeremiah 9:23
23Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
Jeremiah 9:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
- New International Version (NIV)This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,
- New Living Translation (NLT)This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.
Context of Jeremiah 9:23
21For death has come through our windows, Has entered our palaces, To kill off the children— no longer to be outside! And the young men— no longer on the streets! 22Speak, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Even the carcasses of men shall fall as refuse on the open field, Like cuttings after the harvester, And no one shall gather them.’ ” Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. 25“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that I will punish all who are circumcised with the uncircumcised—
Read all of Jeremiah 9Jeremiah 9:23 word by word
כֹּ֣ה׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה אַל־יִתְהַלֵּ֤ל חָכָם֙ בְּחָכְמָת֔וֹ וְאַל־יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל הַגִּבּ֖וֹר בִּגְבֽוּרָת֑וֹ אַל־יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל עָשִׁ֖יר בְּעָשְׁרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thus saithאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- Let not the wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
- gloryהָלַלhâlal · to shineH1984
- in his wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
- neither let the mightyגִּבּוֹרgibbôr gibbôr · mighty manH1368
- in his mightגְּבוּרָהgebûrâh · mightH1369
- let not the richעָשִׁיר‛âshîyr · richH6223
- in his richesעֹ֫שֶׁר‛ôsher · richesH6239
Cross-references for Jeremiah 9:23
- Job 5:12He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans.
- Psalms 49:10For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, And leave their wealth to others.
- Ecclesiastes 2:13Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness.
- Ecclesiastes 9:11I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.
- Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!
- Isaiah 10:12Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.”
- Ezekiel 28:2“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,’ Yet you are a man, and not a god, Though you set your heart as the heart of a god
- Romans 1:22Professing to be wise, they became fools,
- 1 Corinthians 1:19For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
- James 3:14But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
- Deuteronomy 8:17then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’
- 1 Samuel 17:4And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
- 1 Kings 20:10Then Ben-Hadad sent to him and said, “The gods do so to me, and more also, if enough dust is left of Samaria for a handful for each of the people who follow me.”
- Psalms 33:16No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
- Isaiah 10:8For he says, ‘Are not my princes altogether kings?
Commentaries on Jeremiah 9:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom - Because God is the Fountain of all good, neither wisdom, nor might, nor riches, nor prosperity can come but from or through him. Nothing can be more rational than that the Source of all our blessings should be acknowledged. Riches cannot deliver in the day of death; strength cannot avail against him; and as a shield against him, our wisdom is foolishness.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23To the end of Jeremiah 10 the prophet urges upon the people the practical conclusion to be drawn from God‘s righteous dealings with them. The three things on which men most pride themselves are shown in this verse to have proved vain.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-26Verses 23-26 In this world of sin and sorrow, ending soon in death and judgement, how foolish for men to glory in their knowledge, health, strength, riches, or in any thing which leaves them under the dominion of sin and the wrath of God! and of which an account must hereafter be rendered; it will but increase their misery. Those are the true Israel who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Let us prize…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Intellectuals might brag about their knowledge. The king and his royal court might show off their power with grand ceremonies. Wealthy merchants might display their wealth by wearing fancy clothes and building impressive structures. All of these will be destroyed during God's judgment.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. wisdom--political sagacity; as if it could rescue from the impending calamities. might--military prowess.Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 9:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries