Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 12:23–27

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

5 selected · 23 available

Add or remove verses within this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 56 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 23

  1. Proverbs 13:16Rank 1 from verse 23
    Open

    16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

  2. Proverbs 10:19Rank 2 from verse 23
    Open

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

  3. Proverbs 11:13Rank 3 from verse 23
    Open

    13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

  4. Proverbs 10:14Rank 4 from verse 23
    Open

    14Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

  5. Proverbs 15:2Rank 5 from verse 23
    Open

    2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

  6. Ecclesiastes 10:12–14Rank 6 from verse 23
    Open

    12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

    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?

  7. Ecclesiastes 10:3Rank 7 from verse 23
    Open

    3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

From verse 24

  1. Proverbs 12:27Rank 1 from verse 24
    Open

    27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

  2. Proverbs 10:4Rank 2 from verse 24
    Open

    4He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

  3. Proverbs 21:25–26Rank 3 from verse 24
    Open

    25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

    26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

  4. Proverbs 13:4Rank 4 from verse 24
    Open

    4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

  5. Proverbs 19:15Rank 5 from verse 24
    Open

    15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

  6. Proverbs 22:29Rank 6 from verse 24
    Open

    29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

  7. 1 Kings 11:28Rank 7 from verse 24
    Open

    28And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

  8. Genesis 49:15Rank 8 from verse 24
    Open

    15And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

  9. Proverbs 17:2Rank 9 from verse 24
    Open

    2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

  10. Proverbs 22:13Rank 10 from verse 24
    Open

    13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

  11. 1 Kings 9:21Rank 11 from verse 24
    Open

    21Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.

  12. Proverbs 26:13–16Rank 12 from verse 24
    Open

    13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

    14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

    15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

    16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

  13. Proverbs 24:30–34Rank 13 from verse 24
    Open

    30I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

    31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

    32Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

    33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

    34So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

  14. 1 Kings 12:20Rank 14 from verse 24
    Open

    20And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

From verse 25

  1. Proverbs 16:24Rank 1 from verse 25
    Open

    24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

  2. Proverbs 15:13Rank 2 from verse 25
    Open

    13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

  3. Proverbs 17:22Rank 3 from verse 25
    Open

    22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

  4. Isaiah 50:4Rank 4 from verse 25
    Open

    4The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

  5. Proverbs 15:23Rank 5 from verse 25
    Open

    23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

  6. Proverbs 12:18Rank 6 from verse 25
    Open

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

  7. Proverbs 27:9Rank 7 from verse 25
    Open

    9Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

  8. Psalms 42:11Rank 8 from verse 25
    Open

    11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

  9. Zechariah 1:13Rank 9 from verse 25
    Open

    13And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.

  10. Proverbs 18:14Rank 10 from verse 25
    Open

    14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

  11. Proverbs 25:11Rank 11 from verse 25
    Open

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

  12. 2 Corinthians 2:4–7Rank 12 from verse 25
    Open

    4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

    5But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.

    6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

    7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

  13. Mark 14:33–34Rank 13 from verse 25
    Open

    33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

    34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

  14. Proverbs 14:10Rank 14 from verse 25
    Open

    10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

  15. Psalms 38:6Rank 15 from verse 25
    Open

    6I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

  16. Nehemiah 2:1–2Rank 16 from verse 25
    Open

    1AND it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.

    2Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,

  17. Proverbs 15:15Rank 17 from verse 25
    Open

    15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

From verse 26

  1. 1 John 2:26Rank 1 from verse 26
    Open

    26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

  2. James 1:13–14Rank 2 from verse 26
    Open

    13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

    14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

  3. Matthew 5:46–48Rank 3 from verse 26
    Open

    46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

    47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

    48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

  4. Proverbs 17:27Rank 4 from verse 26
    Open

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

  5. Psalms 18:12–13Rank 5 from verse 26
    Open

    12At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.

    13The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

  6. 2 Peter 2:18–22Rank 6 from verse 26
    Open

    18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

    19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

    20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

    21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

    22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

  7. Luke 6:32–36Rank 7 from verse 26
    Open

    32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

    33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

    34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

    35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

    36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

  8. Proverbs 12:13Rank 8 from verse 26
    Open

    13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

  9. 1 Peter 2:18–21Rank 9 from verse 26
    Open

    18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

    19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

    20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

    21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

  10. Revelation 12:9Rank 10 from verse 26
    Open

    9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  11. Revelation 13:14Rank 11 from verse 26
    Open

    14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

  12. Psalms 16:3Rank 12 from verse 26
    Open

    3But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

From verse 27

  1. Proverbs 13:4Rank 1 from verse 27
    Open

    4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

  2. Proverbs 26:15Rank 2 from verse 27
    Open

    15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

  3. Psalms 37:16Rank 3 from verse 27
    Open

    16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

  4. Proverbs 15:16Rank 4 from verse 27
    Open

    16Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

  5. Proverbs 16:8Rank 5 from verse 27
    Open

    8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

  6. Proverbs 23:2Rank 6 from verse 27
    Open

    2And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 12:23

COMBINED MEANING

prudent

↗

Wise, discerning, thoughtful, circumspect, and careful in judgment or conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

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

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

fools

↗

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

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 12:24

COMBINED MEANING

hand

↗

Sense 1: The part of the body at the end of the arm. Sense 2: Figuratively, power, possession, aid, or agency.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

diligent

↗

Steady, earnest, and careful in effort; or performed with persistent, attentive care.

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

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

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

COMBINED MEANING

bear

↗

Sense 1: To carry, support, convey, endure, sustain, or be answerable for. Sense 2: To produce or bring forth offspring, fruit, or another result. Sense 3: In ‘bear witness’ or ‘bear record,’ to testify or give witness. Sense 4: A large wild animal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rule

↗

Sense 1: To govern, lead, direct, control, or exercise authority. Sense 2: A standard, principle, prescribed order, measuring line, boundary, or allotted sphere.

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

slothful

↗

Lazy, idle, sluggish, negligent, or slow and unwilling to act or labour.

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

COMBINED MEANING

tribute

↗

1. A tax, payment, or imposed due rendered to a ruler or governing power. 2. Labour or service imposed on a subject people. 3. A portion or offering rendered to the Lord.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 12:25

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

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

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

maketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of make (to form, create, produce, cause, appoint, perform, or render into a stated condition).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

stoop

↗

Sense 1: To bend or bow downward. Sense 2: Figuratively, to sink, submit, or be humbled.

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

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

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

COMBINED MEANING

glad

↗

Pleased; affected with pleasure or moderate joy; moderately happy.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 12:26

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

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 12:27

COMBINED MEANING

slothful

↗

Lazy, idle, sluggish, negligent, or slow and unwilling to act or labour.

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

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

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

diligent

↗

Steady, earnest, and careful in effort; or performed with persistent, attentive care.

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

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 12:22–28

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

12:22Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

12:23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Selected passage

12:24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Selected passage

12:25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Selected passage

12:26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

Selected passage

12:27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Selected passage

12:28In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.