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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 18:1–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
THROUGH desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
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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

40 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 1

  1. Ephesians 5:15–17Rank 1 from verse 1
    Open

    15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

    16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

    17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

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

    1MY son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

    2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

    3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

    4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

    5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

    6For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

  3. Proverbs 20:3Rank 3 from verse 1
    Open

    3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

  4. Jeremiah 15:17Rank 4 from verse 1
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    17I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.

  5. Proverbs 24:21Rank 5 from verse 1
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    21My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

From verse 2

  1. Proverbs 1:7Rank 1 from verse 2
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    7¶ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

  2. Proverbs 12:23Rank 2 from verse 2
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    23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

  3. Proverbs 17:16Rank 3 from verse 2
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    16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

  4. Psalms 1:1–2Rank 4 from verse 2
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    1BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

    2But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

  5. Proverbs 13:16Rank 5 from verse 2
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    16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

From verse 3

  1. 1 Peter 4:14Rank 1 from verse 3
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    14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

  2. Proverbs 22:10Rank 2 from verse 3
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    10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

  3. 1 Peter 4:4Rank 3 from verse 3
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    4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

  4. Proverbs 11:2Rank 4 from verse 3
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    2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

  5. Proverbs 29:16Rank 5 from verse 3
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    16When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

From verse 4

  1. Proverbs 20:5Rank 1 from verse 4
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    5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

  2. Proverbs 10:11Rank 2 from verse 4
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    11The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

  3. Colossians 4:6Rank 3 from verse 4
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    6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

  4. John 4:14Rank 4 from verse 4
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    14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

  5. Proverbs 13:14Rank 5 from verse 4
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    14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

From verse 5

  1. Leviticus 19:15Rank 1 from verse 5
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    15¶ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

  2. Deuteronomy 16:19Rank 2 from verse 5
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    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.

  3. Proverbs 28:21Rank 3 from verse 5
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    21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

  4. Psalms 82:2Rank 4 from verse 5
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    2How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

  5. Proverbs 17:15Rank 5 from verse 5
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    15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.

From verse 6

  1. Proverbs 27:3Rank 1 from verse 6
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    3A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.

  2. Proverbs 16:27–28Rank 2 from verse 6
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    27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

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

  3. Proverbs 22:24–25Rank 3 from verse 6
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    24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

    25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

  4. Proverbs 12:16Rank 4 from verse 6
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    16A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

  5. Proverbs 13:10Rank 5 from verse 6
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    10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

From verse 7

  1. Proverbs 13:3Rank 1 from verse 7
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    3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

  2. Proverbs 10:14Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    14Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

  3. Proverbs 12:13Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

  4. Psalms 64:8Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    8So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

  5. Psalms 140:9Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    9As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

From verse 8

  1. Leviticus 19:16Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    16¶ Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.

  2. Proverbs 12:18Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

  3. Proverbs 16:28Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

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

  4. Proverbs 26:20–22Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

    21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

    22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

  5. Psalms 52:2Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 18:1

COMBINED MEANING

desire

↗

Sense 1: A wish, longing, request, pleasure, or thing wished for. Sense 2: To wish for, long for, request, or take pleasure in.

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

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 18:2

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

delight

↗

Sense 1: To take or give great pleasure or satisfaction. Sense 2: A high degree of pleasure or satisfaction of mind; joy.

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

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

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 18:3

COMBINED MEANING

reproach

↗

Sense 1: Shame, disgrace, dishonour, contempt, blame, reviling, or taunt. Sense 2: As a verb, to shame, insult, blame, or speak contemptuously against.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 18:4

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

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

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

deep

↗

Sense 1: Great in depth, or a place far beneath the surface. Sense 2: The sea, an abyss of waters, or deep waters. Sense 3: Profound, hidden, or difficult to reach or understand.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

flowing

↗

Sense 1: Present-participial or verbal-noun form of flow, meaning to move or run continuously as water. Sense 2: Figuratively, to stream, gather, or come abundantly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 18:5

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

accept

↗

Sense 1: To receive or consent to what is offered; to approve. Sense 2: To regard with favour or partiality.

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

COMBINED MEANING

overthrow

↗

Sense 1: To throw down, overturn, defeat, destroy, ruin, abolish, make ineffective, or bring to an end. Sense 2: The resulting destruction, downfall, defeat, or reversal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

righteous

↗

Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.

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

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

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 18:6

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

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

enter

↗

To go or come in; to penetrate; to become an ingredient or constituent part; to enter the mind.

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

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 18:7

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

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

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

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

snare

↗

1. Figuratively, something that catches, entangles, endangers, or brings a person into bondage or restraint. 2. A trap, noose, or device for catching.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 18:8

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

talebearer

↗

One who goes about spreading reports or revealing private matters, causing harm or strife.

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

COMBINED MEANING

wounds

↗

1. Bodily injuries, cuts, or sores. 2. Deep inward hurts or afflictions likened to bodily injuries.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

parts

↗

Sense 1: Portions or divisions of a whole. Sense 2: Divides, separates, departs, or assigns shares.

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

View in context

Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 17:28–18:9

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

17:28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

18:1THROUGH desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

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18:2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

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18:3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

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18:4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

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18:5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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18:6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

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18:7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

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18:8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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18:9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

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