Proverbs 3:34 (KJV)

Passage

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: 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", "scorneth", "scorners", "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 the LORD is in..." 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.