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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 16:23–32

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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Reference depth

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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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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.

  4. Proverbs 4:22Rank 4 from verse 24
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    22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

  5. Proverbs 23:16Rank 5 from verse 24
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    16Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

From verse 25

  1. Proverbs 14:12Rank 1 from verse 25
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    12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

  2. 2 Corinthians 13:5Rank 2 from verse 25
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    5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

  3. Proverbs 12:15Rank 3 from verse 25
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    15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

  4. Proverbs 12:26Rank 4 from verse 25
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    26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

  5. Isaiah 28:15–19Rank 5 from verse 25
    Open

    15Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

    16¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

    17Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

    18¶ And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

    19From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

From verse 26

  1. Ecclesiastes 6:7Rank 1 from verse 26
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    7All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

  2. Proverbs 14:23Rank 2 from verse 26
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    23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:8–12Rank 3 from verse 26
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    8Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

    9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

    10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

    11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

    12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

  4. Proverbs 9:12Rank 4 from verse 26
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    12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

  5. 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12Rank 5 from verse 26
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    11And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

    12That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

From verse 27

  1. James 3:6Rank 1 from verse 27
    Open

    6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

  2. Proverbs 6:14Rank 2 from verse 27
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    14Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

  3. 1 Samuel 25:17Rank 3 from verse 27
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    17Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

  4. Isaiah 5:18Rank 4 from verse 27
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    18Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:

  5. Proverbs 6:12Rank 5 from verse 27
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    12¶ A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

From verse 28

  1. Proverbs 17:9Rank 1 from verse 28
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    9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

  2. James 3:14–16Rank 2 from verse 28
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    14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

    15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

    16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

  3. Proverbs 15:18Rank 3 from verse 28
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    18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

  4. Proverbs 18:8Rank 4 from verse 28
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    8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

  5. Romans 1:29Rank 5 from verse 28
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    29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

From verse 29

  1. Proverbs 2:12–15Rank 1 from verse 29
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    12To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

    13Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

    14Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

    15Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

  2. 2 Peter 3:17Rank 2 from verse 29
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    17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

  3. Proverbs 12:26Rank 3 from verse 29
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    26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

  4. Proverbs 1:10–14Rank 4 from verse 29
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    10¶ My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

    11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

    12Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

    13We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

    14Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

  5. Proverbs 3:31Rank 5 from verse 29
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    31¶ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

From verse 30

  1. Matthew 13:15Rank 1 from verse 30
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    15For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

  2. Proverbs 6:12–14Rank 2 from verse 30
    Open

    12¶ A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

    13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;

    14Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

  3. Isaiah 6:10Rank 3 from verse 30
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    10Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

  4. John 3:20Rank 4 from verse 30
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    20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

  5. Matthew 14:7–8Rank 5 from verse 30
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    7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

    8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.

From verse 31

  1. Proverbs 20:29Rank 1 from verse 31
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    29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

  2. Leviticus 19:32Rank 2 from verse 31
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    32¶ Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.

  3. Proverbs 3:1–2Rank 3 from verse 31
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    1MY son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

    2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

  4. 1 Samuel 12:2–5Rank 4 from verse 31
    Open

    2And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.

    3Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

    4And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.

    5And he said unto them, The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.

  5. Proverbs 17:6Rank 5 from verse 31
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    6Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

From verse 32

  1. James 1:19Rank 1 from verse 32
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    19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

  2. Proverbs 15:18Rank 2 from verse 32
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    18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

  3. Proverbs 25:28Rank 3 from verse 32
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    28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

  4. Proverbs 14:29Rank 4 from verse 32
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    29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

  5. Proverbs 19:11Rank 5 from verse 32
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    11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:25

COMBINED MEANING

seemeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of seem, meaning to appear, be regarded, or be fitting.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

right

↗

1. Correct, just, upright, proper, lawful, fitting, true, or due; also a rightful claim or authority. 2. The direction or side opposite the left. 3. Straight, favourable, skilful, or approved. 4. Very, quite, or fully.

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

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

end

↗

Sense 1: The last or concluding part, termination, or limit. Sense 2: A purpose or intended result. Sense 3: As a verb, to cease or bring to a close.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:26

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:27

COMBINED MEANING

ungodly

↗

Sense 1: Lacking reverence for God, opposed to his righteous character and rule, or living wickedly and impiously. Sense 2: Persons so characterized.

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

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

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

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

burning

↗

Sense 1: Present-participial or verbal-noun form of burn, meaning to consume, injure, heat, dry, or harden by fire or intense heat. Sense 2: To be on fire.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fire

↗

Burning flame and heat that gives light, consumes, purifies, or destroys.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:28

COMBINED MEANING

froward

↗

1. Perverse or turned aside from what is right. 2. Contrary or opposed in conduct or response.

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

soweth

↗

Sense 1: Third-person singular present form of sow, meaning to scatter or plant seed. Sense 2: Figuratively, to spread what will produce a result.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

chief

↗

1. First, principal, highest, leading, greatest, most excellent, most important, or most responsible in rank, order, degree, value, or guilt. 2. A leader, head, principal ruler, officer, or principal member of a group.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:29

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

leadeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of lead, meaning to guide, conduct, or go before.

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 16:30

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

devise

↗

To form, plan, purpose, design, or contrive in the mind; to arrange means or work for accomplishing an intended end, whether good or evil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

froward

↗

1. Perverse or turned aside from what is right. 2. Contrary or opposed in conduct or response.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

moving

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of move, meaning to change place; to stir, shake, prompt, influence, or set in action.

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

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

pass

↗

To go by, through, over, or beyond; to happen, cease, or be transferred.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:31

COMBINED MEANING

head

↗

The upper part of the body; a chief, source, summit, or leading position.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

crown

↗

Sense 1: A royal head ornament; by extension, kingship, honour, reward, or the top of the head. Sense 2: To invest, adorn, or honour with a crown, dignity, or reward.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

glory

↗

Sense 1: Splendour, honour, praise, majesty, or a ground of rejoicing or boasting. Sense 2: To boast, exult, take pride, or rejoice in a person or thing.

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 16:32

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

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

mighty

↗

Possessing or displaying great strength, power, ability, rank, or effect.

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

taketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of take: receives, seizes, carries, accepts, chooses, or lays hold of.

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 THE PASSAGE

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Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 16:22–33

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

16:22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

16:23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

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16:24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

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16:25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

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16:26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

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16:27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

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16:28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

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16:29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

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16:30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

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16:31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

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16:32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

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16:33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

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