This saying is similar to 11.2 and 16.18.

“A man’s pride will bring him low”: “A man’s pride” may be expressed as “by being proud,” “a proud person,” or “if you are proud.” In some languages to be proud is to “have a swollen heart.” “Bring . . . low” means “to disgrace” or “to cause shame.”

“But he who is lowly in spirit will obtain favor”: “Lowly in spirit” means “humble”; see 16.19. “Will obtain favor” is literally “takes hold of honor” and means “will be honored” or “will be respected” (Good News Translation). See 11.16 where it is rendered “gets honor.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .