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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 16:18–20

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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3 selected · 7 available

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

15 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 18

  1. Proverbs 11:2Rank 1 from verse 18
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    2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

  2. Isaiah 2:11–12Rank 2 from verse 18
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    11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

    12For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

  3. Proverbs 18:12Rank 3 from verse 18
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    12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

  4. Obadiah 1:3–4Rank 4 from verse 18
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    3¶ The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

    4Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.

  5. Proverbs 29:23Rank 5 from verse 18
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    23A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

From verse 19

  1. Matthew 5:3Rank 1 from verse 19
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    3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  2. Isaiah 57:15Rank 2 from verse 19
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    15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

  3. Psalms 138:6Rank 3 from verse 19
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    6Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

  4. Exodus 15:9Rank 4 from verse 19
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    9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

  5. Psalms 34:18Rank 5 from verse 19
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    18The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

From verse 20

  1. Jeremiah 17:7–8Rank 1 from verse 20
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    7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

    8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

  2. Psalms 2:12Rank 2 from verse 20
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    12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

  3. Isaiah 26:3–4Rank 3 from verse 20
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    3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

    4Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

  4. Isaiah 30:18Rank 4 from verse 20
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    18¶ And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

  5. Psalms 34:8Rank 5 from verse 20
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    8O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:18

COMBINED MEANING

pride

↗

1. Self-exaltation, arrogance, haughtiness, or vaunted strength. 2. Splendour, glory, or that in which one glories.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

destruction

↗

The act, result, or state of destroying: ruin, overthrow, death, wasting, or that which brings ruin.

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

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

COMBINED MEANING

fall

↗

Sense 1: To descend, drop, or lose an upright position. Sense 2: To be slain, defeated, overthrown, ruined, or brought down. Sense 3: To come upon or attack. Sense 4: To pass into a specified place, condition, power, or course, or to depart from a former standing. Sense 5: To happen, turn out, or be allotted. Sense 6: As a noun, descent, overthrow, ruin, or loss of standing.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:19

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

humble

↗

Sense 1: Lowly in mind or condition; free from pride. Sense 2: To abase or bring low.

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

COMBINED MEANING

lowly

↗

Having a low esteem of one’s own worth; humble; meek; free from pride.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

divide

↗

1. To apportion, distribute, share, or allot. 2. To separate or distinguish into parts, sides, groups, or portions.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spoil

↗

Sense 1: Goods or captives taken from an enemy. Sense 2: As a verb, to plunder, rob, strip, ruin, or deprive of what is possessed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:20

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

find

↗

To discover, meet with, obtain, perceive, or learn by search or experience.

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

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

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 16:17–21

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

16:17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

16:18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Selected passage

16:19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Selected passage

16:20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

Selected passage

16:21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

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