Proverbs 16:18 (YLT)

Passage

Before destruction <FI>is<Fi> pride, And before stumbling--a haughty spirit.'

Nearby Context

Proverbs 16:16 To get wisdom--how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!

Proverbs 16:17 A highway of the upright <FI>is<Fi> , `Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.

Proverbs 16:18 Before destruction <FI>is<Fi> pride, And before stumbling--a haughty spirit.'

Proverbs 16:19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:20 The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "before", "destruction", "pride", "stumbling--a", and "haughty". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "before", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "A highway of the upright FI is..." into verse 19's "Better is humility of spirit with the...", so "Spirit" and "before" 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 "Spirit" and "before" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.