Jeremiah 9:23
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:
Study Note
Study Note
Jeremiah's counter-cultural wisdom — 'let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his might, nor the rich man in his riches' — dismantles the three pillars of ancient social prestige and reorients human identity toward 'understanding and knowing me' (verse 24). The verse forms part of a disputation in Jeremiah 9:22–26 following a lament over the ubiquity of deceit in Judah, making it both social critique and theological alternative. Paul quotes this passage in 1 Corinthians 1:31 and 2 Corinthians 10:17 as the theological grounding for his own boasting only in the cross, showing its continued normativity in the New Testament. The emphasis that God delights in 'lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth' (verse 24) anchors boasting in relationship with a morally active God.
Other Translations
Thus saith Jehovah, 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;
Thus said Jehovah: Let not the wise boast himself in his wisdom, Nor let the mighty boast himself in his might, Let not the rich boast himself in his riches,
This is the word of the Lord: Let not the wise man take pride in his wisdom, or the strong man in his strength, or the man of wealth in his wealth:
Cross References
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?
Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on …
For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am …
Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two …
How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put …
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty …
And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the Lord.
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is …