11:2
This proverb contrasts a bad result of pride with a benefit that is associated with humility. Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:
2a
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
2b but with humility comes wisdom.
11:2a
When pride comes, disgrace follows: This line means that pride precedes humiliation. In other words, if a person becomes proud, sooner or later he will be humiliated/disgraced. Some ways to translate this line are:
Pride comes first; disgrace soon follows (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Pride leads only to shame (New Century Version)
-or-
People who are proud will soon be disgraced. (Good News Translation)
11:2b
but with humility comes wisdom: The Hebrew noun that most versions translate as humility occurs only here in the Old Testament. It refers to a person who is modest about his own abilities. Such a person does not overestimate his own importance.
This line means that wisdom accompanies humility/modesty. It does not mean that humility precedes wisdom. However, the exact relationship between wisdom and humility is not clear. Some ways to translate this line are:
it is wise to be humble (New Century Version)
-or-
but wisdom is with those who are unassuming (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
but the humble person has wisdom
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