Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 12:23–28

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.
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

6 selected · 4 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

30 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

From verse 28

  1. 3 John 1:11Rank 1 from verse 28
    Open

    11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

  2. Romans 5:21Rank 2 from verse 28
    Open

    21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

  3. Ezekiel 18:20–24Rank 3 from verse 28
    Open

    20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

    21But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

    22All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

    23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

    24¶ But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

  4. Proverbs 11:19Rank 4 from verse 28
    Open

    19As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

  5. Titus 2:11–12Rank 5 from verse 28
    Open

    11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

    12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 12:28

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

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

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

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

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find 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.