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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 15:13–16

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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4 selected · 6 available

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 13

  1. Proverbs 17:22Rank 1 from verse 13
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    22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

  2. John 14:1Rank 2 from verse 13
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    1LET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

  3. Proverbs 12:25Rank 3 from verse 13
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    25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

  4. Proverbs 18:14Rank 4 from verse 13
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    14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

  5. Proverbs 15:15Rank 5 from verse 13
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    15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

From verse 14

  1. Proverbs 9:9Rank 1 from verse 14
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    9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

  2. Isaiah 30:10Rank 2 from verse 14
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    10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

  3. Proverbs 18:15Rank 3 from verse 14
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    15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

  4. 2 Peter 3:18Rank 4 from verse 14
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    18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

  5. Acts 17:11Rank 5 from verse 14
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    11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

From verse 15

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:10Rank 1 from verse 15
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    10As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

  2. Romans 12:12Rank 2 from verse 15
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    12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

  3. Proverbs 15:13Rank 3 from verse 15
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    13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

  4. Proverbs 17:22Rank 4 from verse 15
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    22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

  5. Romans 5:11Rank 5 from verse 15
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    11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

From verse 16

  1. Proverbs 16:8Rank 1 from verse 16
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    8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

  2. Psalms 37:16Rank 2 from verse 16
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    16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

  3. Ecclesiastes 5:10–12Rank 3 from verse 16
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    10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

    11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

    12The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

  4. 1 Timothy 6:6Rank 4 from verse 16
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    6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

  5. Proverbs 28:6Rank 5 from verse 16
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    6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:13

COMBINED MEANING

merry

↗

Glad, cheerful, joyful, festive, pleased, or enlivened in heart, often in connection with eating, drinking, feasting, celebration, or favourable circumstances.

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

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

countenance

↗

1. The face, or its appearance or expression. 2. Favour, regard, or presence expressed toward someone. 3. To favour or support.

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

sorrow

↗

Sense 1: Grief, sadness, anguish, pain, regret, distress, trouble, or heaviness. Sense 2: To grieve or cause such pain.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:14

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

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

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

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

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:15

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

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

merry

↗

Glad, cheerful, joyful, festive, pleased, or enlivened in heart, often in connection with eating, drinking, feasting, celebration, or favourable circumstances.

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

feast

↗

Sense 1: A large or special meal, often connected with an appointed celebration. Sense 2: As a verb, to eat or entertain at such a meal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:16

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

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

COMBINED MEANING

fear

↗

1. Alarm, dread, terror, or apprehension. 2. Reverence, awe, or respectful regard. 3. A person, thing, or event feared or revered. 4. To fear, dread, or reverence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

treasure

↗

Sense 1: Valuable things or provisions stored; a specially valued possession. Sense 2: An inward store from which something is brought forth.

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

COMBINED MEANING

trouble

↗

Sense 1: Disturbance, affliction, distress, vexation, or difficulty. Sense 2: To disturb, distress, afflict, or inconvenience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 15:12–17

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

15:12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

15:13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Selected passage

15:14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

15:16Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Selected passage

15:17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

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