Proverbs 3:34 (ASV)

Passage

Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 3:32 For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; But his friendship is with the upright.

Proverbs 3:33 The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.

Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "grace", "surely", "scoffeth", "scoffers", "giveth", and "lowly". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "grace" and "surely", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 33's "The curse of Jehovah is in the..." into verse 35's "The wise shall inherit glory But shame...", so "grace" and "surely" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "grace" and "surely" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.