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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 10:17–21

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
17He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
18He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 69 ranked passages are available for comparison.

Proverbs 10:17Cross-references · 19 ranked passages

  1. Open

    5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

    6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

    7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

    8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

    10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

    11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

  2. Open

    10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

  3. Open

    28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

  4. Open

    12And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

  5. Open

    23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

  6. Open

    18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

  7. Open

    1WHOSO loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

  8. Open

    13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

  9. Open

    24¶ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

    25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

    26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

    27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

  10. Open

    1HE, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

  11. Open

    1MY son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

    2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

  12. Open

    25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

    26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

  13. Open

    6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

  14. Open

    4He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

  15. Open

    25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

  16. Open

    1THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

  17. Open

    30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

  18. Open

    16And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

  19. Open

    17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

    18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

    19That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

Proverbs 10:18Cross-references · 14 ranked passages

  1. Open

    24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

    25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

    26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

  2. Open

    21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

  3. Open

    23¶ And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

    24And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

    25And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.

    26Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

    27But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

    28¶ Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

    29And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

  4. Open

    27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

  5. Open

    3He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

  6. Open

    21And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

    22¶ And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king’s son in law.

  7. Open

    29And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.

  8. Open

    8And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

    9But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.

    10And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

    11And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

    12And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.

    13And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

    14¶ And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

    15And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

  9. Open

    9And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.

    10But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

  10. Open

    20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

    21And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

  11. Open

    5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

  12. Open

    2They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

  13. Psalms 5:9Rank 13
    Open

    9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

  14. Open

    20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.

Proverbs 10:19Cross-references · 6 ranked passages

  1. Open

    19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

  2. James 3:2Rank 2
    Open

    2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

  3. Open

    27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

    28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

  4. Open

    13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

    14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

  5. Open

    3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

  6. Open

    1I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

Proverbs 10:20Cross-references · 10 ranked passages

  1. Open

    5¶ And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

  2. Open

    9¶ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

  3. Open

    18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

  4. Open

    34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

    35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

  5. Open

    4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

  6. Open

    21And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

  7. Open

    13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

  8. Open

    7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

  9. Open

    19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

  10. Open

    11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

    12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Proverbs 10:21Cross-references · 20 ranked passages

  1. Hosea 4:6Rank 1
    Open

    6¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

  2. Open

    16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

  3. Open

    29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

  4. Open

    9And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

    10The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

  5. Open

    3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

    4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

  6. Open

    19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

  7. Open

    4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

  8. Job 23:12Rank 8
    Open

    12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

  9. Open

    21Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.

    22After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.

  10. Open

    31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

  11. Open

    12And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

  12. Open

    23He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

  13. Open

    16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

  14. Open

    19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

    20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

  15. Open

    18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

  16. Open

    2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

  17. Open

    15And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

  18. Open

    15¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

    16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

    17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

  19. Open

    30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

  20. Open

    28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 10:17

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

instruction

↗

Teaching or information that directs understanding and conduct; correction, discipline, or an instructive warning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

erreth

↗

Goes astray from what is right, whether by refusing correction or by error.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 10:18

COMBINED MEANING

lying

↗

1. Reclining, resting, remaining, or being situated in a place. 2. Speaking or representing what is false or deceptive. 3. Lying with a person; having sexual intercourse.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

uttereth

↗

Third-person singular present form of utter, meaning to speak, declare, or make known.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

slander

↗

A false, malicious, or damaging report, accusation, or evil statement brought against a person, people, land, or truth; to spread such a report.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 10:19

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

multitude

↗

1. A great number or large gathered body of persons, creatures, or forces; a crowd, company, or host. 2. A great number, amount, fullness, or abundance of years, words, deeds, mercies, sins, possessions, waters, or other stated things.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

words

↗

Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wanteth

↗

Third-person singular present form of want, meaning to lack, be without, need, or come short of it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sin

↗

1. Wrongdoing against God and his law; transgression or unrighteousness. 2. The guilt or burden of such wrongdoing, or the inward principle so named. 3. As a verb, to commit such wrongdoing.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 10:20

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

choice

↗

Sense 1: The act of choosing; a selection. Sense 2: Selected, excellent, or preferred.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

silver

↗

A precious white metal used for money, vessels, ornaments, images, trade, valuation, and refining; by extension, money or wealth reckoned in that metal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

worth

↗

Value, price, usefulness, or comparative importance; in the older phrase woe worth, may woe befall.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 10:21

COMBINED MEANING

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

righteous

↗

Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

feed

↗

Sense 1: To give or take food; to nourish, tend, or graze. Sense 2: Food for animals.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fools

↗

Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

want

↗

Absence, lack, need, poverty, or insufficiency of what is required; to lack, be without, need, or come short of it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 10:16–22

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

10:16The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

10:17He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Selected passage

10:18He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Selected passage

10:19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Selected passage

10:20The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Selected passage

10:21The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Selected passage

10:22The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

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