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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 16:20–24

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

25 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

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
    Open

    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
    Open

    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
    Open

    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
    Open

    8O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

From verse 21

  1. Proverbs 16:23–24Rank 1 from verse 21
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    23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

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

  2. Isaiah 50:4Rank 2 from verse 21
    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.

  3. Proverbs 15:7Rank 3 from verse 21
    Open

    7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

  4. Proverbs 27:9Rank 4 from verse 21
    Open

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

  5. James 3:17Rank 5 from verse 21
    Open

    17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

From verse 22

  1. Proverbs 13:14Rank 1 from verse 22
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    14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

  2. John 5:24Rank 2 from verse 22
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    24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

  3. John 6:63Rank 3 from verse 22
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    63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

  4. Matthew 15:14Rank 4 from verse 22
    Open

    14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

  5. Proverbs 10:11Rank 5 from verse 22
    Open

    11The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

From verse 23

  1. Proverbs 15:28Rank 1 from verse 23
    Open

    28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

  2. Matthew 12:34–35Rank 2 from verse 23
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    34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

    35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

  3. Colossians 3:16Rank 3 from verse 23
    Open

    16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

  4. Proverbs 22:17–18Rank 4 from verse 23
    Open

    17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

    18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

  5. Psalms 37:30–31Rank 5 from verse 23
    Open

    30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

    31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

From verse 24

  1. Proverbs 12:18Rank 1 from verse 24
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    18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

  2. Proverbs 24:13–14Rank 2 from verse 24
    Open

    13My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

    14So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

  3. Proverbs 25:11–12Rank 3 from verse 24
    Open

    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.

  4. Proverbs 4:22Rank 4 from verse 24
    Open

    22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

  5. Proverbs 23:16Rank 5 from verse 24
    Open

    16Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:21

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

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

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

called

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.

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

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

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

learning

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of learn, meaning to gain knowledge, receive instruction, or come to know.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:22

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

instruction

↗

Teaching or information that directs understanding and conduct; correction, discipline, or an instructive warning.

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

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 16:23

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

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

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

learning

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of learn, meaning to gain knowledge, receive instruction, or come to know.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:24

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

honeycomb

↗

The waxen structure of cells made by bees to hold honey and their young.

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

COMBINED MEANING

sweet

↗

Sense 1: Pleasing to the taste or smell. Sense 2: Pleasant, agreeable, or delightful to the senses or mind.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

soul

↗

Sense 1: A living person or creature; a life or self. Sense 2: The inward self distinguished from the body. Sense 3: The seat of desire or appetite.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

health

↗

Sense 1: Soundness or well-being of body. Sense 2: Healing, cure, or restoration to soundness. Sense 3: Saving help or deliverance.

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

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Surrounding Verses

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

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

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

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23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

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