Jeremiah 9:23
New International Version
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,

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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,

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.

King James Bible
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 King James Version
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;

New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches;

NASB 1995
Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;

NASB 1977
Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh, “Let not a wise man boast in his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast in his might; let not a rich man boast in his riches,

Amplified Bible
Thus says the LORD, “Let not the one who is wise and skillful boast in his insight; let not the one who is mighty and powerful boast in his strength; let not the one who is rich boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] abundance;

Christian Standard Bible
“ ‘This is what the LORD says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: The wise man must not boast in his wisdom; the strong man must not boast in his strength; the wealthy man must not boast in his wealth.

American Standard Version
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;

Contemporary English Version
The LORD says: Don't brag about your wisdom or strength or wealth.

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says: Don't let wise people brag about their wisdom. Don't let strong people brag about their strength. Don't let rich people brag about their riches.

Good News Translation
The LORD says, "The wise should not boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their wealth.

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD says: "The wise man is not to boast in his wisdom; the strong man is not to boast in his strength; and the rich man is not to boast in his riches.

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.

NET Bible
The LORD says, "Wise people should not boast that they are wise. Powerful people should not boast that they are powerful. Rich people should not boast that they are rich.

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD, "Do not let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, do not let the rich man glory in his riches;

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

World English Bible
Yahweh says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom. Don’t let the mighty man glory in his might. Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH: “Do not let the wise boast himself in his wisdom, "" Nor let the mighty boast himself in his might, "" Do not let the rich boast himself in his riches,

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah, The wise shall not boast in his wisdom, and the strong shall not boast in his strength; the rich shall not boast in his riches:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, and let not the strong man glory in his strength, and let not the rich man glory in his riches:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord: “The wise man should not glory in his wisdom, and the strong man should not glory in his strength, and the rich man should not glory in his riches.

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD: Let not the wise boast of his wisdom, nor the strong boast of his strength, nor the rich man boast of his riches;

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, and let not the rich man glory in his riches;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ‘A wise man shall not boast in his wisdom, and the mighty man shall not boast in his might, neither shall the rich man boast in his wealth
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, and let not the strong man boast in his strength, and let not the rich man boast in his wealth;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Lament over Zion
22Declare that this is what the LORD says: “The corpses of men will fall like dung upon the open field, like newly cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather it.” 23This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. 24But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:31
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 10:17
Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. / Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

James 1:9-10
The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. / But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

Philippians 3:3-9
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— / though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ...

Romans 2:17-23
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ...

Galatians 6:14
But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:15-21
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...

Psalm 49:6-7
They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. / No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Proverbs 11:28
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said 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:

wise.

Job 5:12-14
He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise…

Psalm 49:10-13,16-18
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others…

Ecclesiastes 2:13-16,19
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness…

neither.

Deuteronomy 8:17
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

1 Samuel 17:4-10,42
And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span…

1 Kings 20:10,11
And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me…

rich.

Job 31:24,25
If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; …

Psalm 49:6-9
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; …

Psalm 52:6,7
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: …

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Jeremiah 9
1. Jeremiah laments the people for their manifold sins;
9. and for their judgment.
12. Disobedience is the cause of their bitter calamity.
17. He exhorts to mourn for their destruction;
23. and to trust not in themselves, but in God.
25. He threatens both Jews and Gentiles.














This is what the LORD says
The phrase underscores the divine authority behind the message. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction serves as a reminder that the following words are not merely human wisdom but divine instruction, demanding reverence and obedience.

Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom
The Hebrew word for "wise" is "chakam," which refers to skillful or learned individuals. Wisdom, in the biblical sense, is often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). However, this verse warns against pride in human intellect. True wisdom acknowledges its source in God and remains humble, recognizing that human understanding is limited and fallible.

nor the strong man in his strength
"Strong" in Hebrew is "gibbor," often used to describe mighty warriors or heroes. Physical strength and power are gifts from God, but they are not to be the source of one's pride. The Bible consistently teaches that reliance on human strength is futile (Psalm 33:16-17). Instead, believers are encouraged to find their strength in the Lord, who is the ultimate source of power and might.

nor the wealthy man in his riches
The term "wealthy" comes from the Hebrew "ashir," indicating abundance and prosperity. Riches can easily become a snare, leading individuals to trust in material possessions rather than God. The Bible warns against the deceitfulness of wealth (Matthew 13:22) and encourages believers to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). True security and worth are found in a relationship with God, not in earthly wealth.

(23) Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom.--The long prophecy of judgment had reached its climax. Now there comes the conclusion of the whole matter--that the one way of salvation is to renounce all reliance on the wisdom, greatness, wealth of the world, and to glory only in knowing Jehovah. The "wise man" is, as before in Jeremiah 8:9, and Jeremiah 9:12, the scribe, or recognised teacher of the people

Verses 23, 24. - These two verses were hardly composed for their present position, though a connection may, of course, be thought out for them. Perhaps a comparison of Habakkuk 3:17, 18, may help us. There the prophet looks forward to a complete desolation resulting from the Chaldean invasion, and yet declares that he can even exult in his God. So here. All subjects of boasting have been proved untrustworthy; but one remains - not wisdom, not valor, not riches, but the knowledge of the revealed God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֣ה ׀ (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Let not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

the wise [man]
חָכָם֙ (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

boast
יִתְהַלֵּ֤ל (yiṯ·hal·lêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1984: To shine

in his wisdom,
בְּחָכְמָת֔וֹ (bə·ḥā·ḵə·mā·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

nor
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

the strong man
הַגִּבּ֖וֹר (hag·gib·bō·wr)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

in his strength,
בִּגְבֽוּרָת֑וֹ (biḡ·ḇū·rā·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1369: Force, valor, victory

nor
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

the wealthy man
עָשִׁ֖יר (‘ā·šîr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6223: Rich

in his riches.
בְּעָשְׁרֽוֹ׃ (bə·‘ā·šə·rōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6239: Wealth


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says Yahweh Don't let the wise (Jer.)
Jeremiah 9:22
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