The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction,
and before honor comes humility.
The reward for humility and fearing the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
For this is what the high and exalted one says,
the one who rules forever, whose name is holy:
“I dwell in an exalted and holy place,
but also with the discouraged and humiliated,
in order to cheer up the humiliated
and to encourage the discouraged.
My hand made them;
that is how they came to be,” says the Lord.
I show special favor to the humble and contrite,
who respect what I have to say.
It must not be this way among you! Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave –
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.”
So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.
Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into despair.
Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.