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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 15:1–4

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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From verse 1

  1. Proverbs 10:12Rank 1 from verse 1
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    12Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

  2. Proverbs 25:15Rank 2 from verse 1
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    15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

  3. Proverbs 15:18Rank 3 from verse 1
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    18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

  4. Proverbs 29:22Rank 4 from verse 1
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    22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

  5. Proverbs 28:25Rank 5 from verse 1
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    25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

  6. Judges 8:1–3Rank 6 from verse 1
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    1AND the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.

    2And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer?

    3God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.

  7. 1 Kings 12:13–16Rank 7 from verse 1
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    13And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;

    14And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

    15Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

    16¶ So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.

  8. 1 Samuel 25:10–13Rank 8 from verse 1
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    10¶ And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

    11Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?

    12So David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.

    13And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

  9. Judges 12:3–6Rank 9 from verse 1
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    3And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the Lord delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?

    4Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.

    5And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;

    6Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.

  10. 1 Samuel 25:21–33Rank 10 from verse 1
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    21Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

    22So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

    23And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,

    24And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

    25Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

    26Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

    27And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

    28I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

    29Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.

    30And it shall come to pass, when the Lord shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;

    31That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the Lord shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.

    32¶ And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

    33And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

  11. 2 Samuel 19:43Rank 11 from verse 1
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    43And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

From verse 2

  1. Proverbs 12:23Rank 1 from verse 2
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    23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

  2. Proverbs 15:28Rank 2 from verse 2
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    28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

  3. Proverbs 13:16Rank 3 from verse 2
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    16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

  4. Ecclesiastes 10:12–13Rank 4 from verse 2
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    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.

  5. Psalms 45:1Rank 5 from verse 2
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    1MY heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

  6. Isaiah 50:4Rank 6 from verse 2
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    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.

  7. Proverbs 15:23Rank 7 from verse 2
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    23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

  8. Proverbs 16:23Rank 8 from verse 2
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    23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

  9. Proverbs 25:11–12Rank 9 from verse 2
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    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.

  10. Psalms 59:7Rank 10 from verse 2
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    7Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

From verse 3

  1. Hebrews 4:13Rank 1 from verse 3
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    13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  2. Jeremiah 16:17Rank 2 from verse 3
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    17For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

  3. Jeremiah 23:24Rank 3 from verse 3
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    24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

  4. 2 Chronicles 16:9Rank 4 from verse 3
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    9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

  5. Proverbs 5:21Rank 5 from verse 3
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    21For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.

  6. Job 31:4Rank 6 from verse 3
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    4Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

  7. Job 34:21–22Rank 7 from verse 3
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    21For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

    22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

  8. Jeremiah 32:19Rank 8 from verse 3
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    19Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

From verse 4

  1. Proverbs 16:24Rank 1 from verse 4
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    24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

  2. Proverbs 12:18Rank 2 from verse 4
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    18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

  3. Proverbs 18:8Rank 3 from verse 4
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    8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

  4. Malachi 4:2Rank 4 from verse 4
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    2¶ But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

  5. Proverbs 3:18Rank 5 from verse 4
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    18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

  6. Proverbs 18:14Rank 6 from verse 4
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    14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

  7. Revelation 2:7Rank 7 from verse 4
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    7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

  8. Proverbs 26:22Rank 8 from verse 4
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    22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

  9. Psalms 109:22Rank 9 from verse 4
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    22For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

  10. Psalms 52:2–4Rank 10 from verse 4
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    2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.

    3Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

    4Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

  11. 1 Timothy 6:3Rank 11 from verse 4
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    3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

  12. Genesis 3:22–24Rank 12 from verse 4
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    22¶ And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

    23Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

    24So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:1

COMBINED MEANING

soft

↗

Sense 1: Gentle, tender, fine, or not hard. Sense 2: As an interjection, a call to pause or take heed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

answer

↗

Sense 1: A reply or response. Sense 2: As a verb, to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

turneth

↗

Third-person singular present form of turn, meaning to change direction, position, condition, purpose, or allegiance; to cause such a change.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wrath

↗

Fierce anger, indignation, displeasure, rage, or the punitive judgment and destructive action that proceed from it.

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

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

stir

↗

Sense 1: To rouse, excite, or put into action or motion. Sense 2: A commotion or disturbance.

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

COMBINED MEANING

anger

↗

Sense 1: Strong displeasure or indignation. Sense 2: As a verb, to provoke to such displeasure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:2

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

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

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

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

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

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:3

COMBINED MEANING

eyes

↗

The bodily organs of sight; by extension, sight, attention, observation, perception, understanding, desire, judgment, estimation, favour, or the presence and view before which something occurs.

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

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

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

COMBINED MEANING

place

↗

Sense 1: A physical location or room. Sense 2: A position or office. Sense 3: An occasion, circumstance, or passage. Sense 4: To set, fix, locate, or establish.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

beholding

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of behold, meaning to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:4

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

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

therein

↗

In, within, during, or concerning that place, person, thing, condition, time, or matter previously mentioned.

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

COMBINED MEANING

breach

↗

Sense 1: A break, rupture, gap, or breaking forth. Sense 2: Damage, loss, or interruption of a promise or relation.

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

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

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

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Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 14:35–15:5

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

14:35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

15:1A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Selected passage

15:2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Selected passage

15:3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Selected passage

15:4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Selected passage

15:5A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

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