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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 17:18–23

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
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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

30 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 18

  1. Proverbs 11:15Rank 1 from verse 18
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    15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

  2. Proverbs 6:1–5Rank 2 from verse 18
    Open

    1MY son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

    2Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

    3Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

    4Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

    5Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

  3. Proverbs 22:26–27Rank 3 from verse 18
    Open

    26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.

    27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

  4. Proverbs 20:16Rank 4 from verse 18
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    16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

  5. Proverbs 22:16Rank 5 from verse 18
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    16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

From verse 19

  1. Proverbs 16:18Rank 1 from verse 19
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    18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

  2. Proverbs 18:12Rank 2 from verse 19
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    12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

  3. 1 Samuel 25:36–38Rank 3 from verse 19
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    36¶ And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

    37But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.

    38And it came to pass about ten days after, that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died.

  4. James 3:14–16Rank 4 from verse 19
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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.

  5. 1 Kings 1:5Rank 5 from verse 19
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    5¶ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

From verse 20

  1. James 3:6–8Rank 1 from verse 20
    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.

    7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

    8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

  2. Proverbs 10:31Rank 2 from verse 20
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    31The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

  3. Ecclesiastes 10:12Rank 3 from verse 20
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    12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

  4. Proverbs 10:10Rank 4 from verse 20
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    10He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

  5. Proverbs 10:14Rank 5 from verse 20
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    14Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

From verse 21

  1. Proverbs 10:1Rank 1 from verse 21
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    1THE proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

  2. Proverbs 19:13Rank 2 from verse 21
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    13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

  3. 1 Samuel 2:32–35Rank 3 from verse 21
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    32And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.

    33And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.

    34And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

    35And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

  4. Genesis 26:34Rank 4 from verse 21
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    34¶ And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:

  5. Proverbs 15:20Rank 5 from verse 21
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    20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

From verse 22

  1. Proverbs 15:13Rank 1 from verse 22
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    13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

  2. Proverbs 12:25Rank 2 from verse 22
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    25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

  3. Proverbs 18:14Rank 3 from verse 22
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    14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

  4. 2 Corinthians 7:10Rank 4 from verse 22
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    10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

  5. Ecclesiastes 9:7–9Rank 5 from verse 22
    Open

    7¶ Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

    8Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

    9Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

From verse 23

  1. Deuteronomy 16:19Rank 1 from verse 23
    Open

    19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

  2. Exodus 23:8Rank 2 from verse 23
    Open

    8¶ And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

  3. Micah 7:3Rank 3 from verse 23
    Open

    3¶ That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

  4. Proverbs 17:8Rank 4 from verse 23
    Open

    8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

  5. Isaiah 1:23Rank 5 from verse 23
    Open

    23Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 17:18

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

void

↗

Empty, unfilled, unoccupied, lacking something, invalid, cancelled, or without effect.

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

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

surety

↗

1. A person who undertakes responsibility or gives a guarantee for another or for an obligation. 2. In the phrase ‘of a surety’: certainly or assuredly.

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

friend

↗

One joined to another by affection, goodwill, or alliance; to support or befriend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

surity

↗

1. A person who undertakes responsibility or gives a guarantee for another or for an obligation. 2. In the phrase ‘of a surety’: certainly or assuredly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 17:19

COMBINED MEANING

transgression

↗

The act of passing beyond or violating a law, command, or rule of duty; an offense, fault, or sin.

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

COMBINED MEANING

exalteth

↗

Third-person singular present form of exalt. Sense 1: To raise high or elevate in position, power, dignity, or honor; to magnify and praise; to raise with pride. Sense 2: To lift up the voice.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 17:20

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

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

findeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of 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

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

falleth

↗

1. Comes or goes down, drops, collapses, bows, or is overthrown. 2. Comes upon or enters a state or condition. 3. Of a lot or portion, is assigned or belongs. 4. In ‘falleth out,’ happens or occurs. 5. In ‘falleth to,’ yields or goes over to another side.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 17:21

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

joy

↗

Sense 1: Gladness, delight, or rejoicing. Sense 2: To rejoice, delight, or be glad.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 17:22

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

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

like

↗

Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.

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

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 17:23

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

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

COMBINED MEANING

gift

↗

Sense 1: Something given or bestowed; a present. Sense 2: An endowment or ability. Sense 3: A bribe.

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

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

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

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pervert

↗

To turn aside, twist, corrupt, distort, or lead away from what is right, true, just, or intended.

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

COMBINED MEANING

judgment

↗

The act, authority, process, cause, or result of judging; discernment, legal hearing, verdict, ordinance, justice, government, vindication, condemnation, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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Surrounding Verses

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17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

Selected passage

19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Selected passage

20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

Selected passage

21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Selected passage

22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Selected passage

23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

Selected passage

24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

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