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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 20:13–19

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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7 selected · 3 available

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

33 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 13

  1. Proverbs 19:15Rank 1 from verse 13
    Open

    15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

  2. Romans 12:11Rank 2 from verse 13
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    11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

  3. Proverbs 10:4Rank 3 from verse 13
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    4He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

  4. Proverbs 12:11Rank 4 from verse 13
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    11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

  5. Romans 13:11Rank 5 from verse 13
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    11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

From verse 14

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:6Rank 1 from verse 14
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    6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

  2. Hosea 12:7–8Rank 2 from verse 14
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    7He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

    8And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

  3. Ecclesiastes 1:10Rank 3 from verse 14
    Open

    10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

From verse 15

  1. Proverbs 25:12Rank 1 from verse 15
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    12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

  2. Proverbs 8:11Rank 2 from verse 15
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    11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

  3. Proverbs 16:16Rank 3 from verse 15
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    16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

  4. Proverbs 16:24Rank 4 from verse 15
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    24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

  5. Ecclesiastes 12:9–11Rank 5 from verse 15
    Open

    9And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

    10The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

    11The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

From verse 16

  1. Proverbs 27:13Rank 1 from verse 16
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    13Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

  2. Exodus 22:26–27Rank 2 from verse 16
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    26If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:

    27For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.

  3. Proverbs 11:15Rank 3 from verse 16
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    15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

  4. Proverbs 22:26–27Rank 4 from verse 16
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    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?

  5. Proverbs 2:16Rank 5 from verse 16
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    16To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

From verse 17

  1. Ecclesiastes 11:9Rank 1 from verse 17
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    9¶ Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

  2. Proverbs 9:17–18Rank 2 from verse 17
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    17Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

    18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

  3. Job 20:12–20Rank 3 from verse 17
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    12Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;

    13Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:

    14Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.

    15He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.

    16He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him.

    17He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.

    18That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein.

    19Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;

    20Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.

  4. Lamentations 3:15–16Rank 4 from verse 17
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    15He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.

    16He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.

  5. Hebrews 11:25Rank 5 from verse 17
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    25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

From verse 18

  1. Luke 14:31Rank 1 from verse 18
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    31Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

  2. Proverbs 15:22Rank 2 from verse 18
    Open

    22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

  3. Proverbs 24:6Rank 3 from verse 18
    Open

    6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.

  4. Judges 1:1–2Rank 4 from verse 18
    Open

    1NOW after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?

    2And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.

  5. Proverbs 11:14Rank 5 from verse 18
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    14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

From verse 19

  1. Proverbs 11:13Rank 1 from verse 19
    Open

    13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

  2. Proverbs 13:3Rank 2 from verse 19
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    3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

  3. Proverbs 18:8Rank 3 from verse 19
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    8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

  4. Romans 16:18Rank 4 from verse 19
    Open

    18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

  5. Leviticus 19:16Rank 5 from verse 19
    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.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:13

COMBINED MEANING

love

↗

Sense 1: Affection, attachment, delight, goodwill, commitment, or devotion. Sense 2: To regard with affection or devotion. Sense 3: A beloved person.

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

COMBINED MEANING

sleep

↗

Sense 1: Natural bodily rest with suspended waking activity; figuratively, inattention or inactivity; or death described as sleep. Sense 2: To rest in sleep; figuratively, to lie in death.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lest

↗

For fear that, to prevent the possibility that, or so that an undesired or warned-of result may not occur.

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

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

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

COMBINED MEANING

poverty

↗

The condition of being poor, destitute, or lacking necessary provision.

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

COMBINED MEANING

open

↗

Sense 1: Unclosed, uncovered, or manifest. Sense 2: As a verb, to uncover, reveal, or explain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

satisfied

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of satisfy (to fill, content, supply sufficiently, or meet what is required).

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:14

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

gone

↗

Departed, went away, passed, or advanced to another place or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:15

COMBINED MEANING

multitude

↗

1. A great number or large gathered body of persons, creatures, or forces; a crowd, company, or host. 2. A great number, amount, fullness, or abundance of years, words, deeds, mercies, sins, possessions, waters, or other stated things.

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

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 20:16

COMBINED MEANING

take

↗

To receive, seize, carry, accept, choose, or lay hold of.

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

COMBINED MEANING

garment

↗

1. An article of clothing or covering worn or placed about the body. 2. Figuratively, something that covers or surrounds as clothing does.

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

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

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

strange

↗

Foreign; belonging to another country. Wonderful; causing surprise; exciting curiosity.

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 20:17

COMBINED MEANING

deceit

↗

Falsehood, guile, fraud, trickery, or a purpose, word, or act intended to mislead.

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

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

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

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

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

filled

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of fill. Sense 1: To make full or occupy capacity. Sense 2: To satisfy. Sense 3: To occupy. Sense 4: To complete what is lacking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:18

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

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

COMBINED MEANING

established

↗

Set firmly; founded, made stable, ordained, enacted, ratified, or confirmed.

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

COMBINED MEANING

counsel

↗

1. A purpose, plan, design, or settled decision. 2. Advice, guidance, or direction. 3. Wisdom, judgment, or understanding for determining a course. 4. As a verb, to advise, direct, or recommend a course.

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

advice

↗

Counsel or an opinion offered for consideration; deliberate consultation or judgment.

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

COMBINED MEANING

make

↗

To form, create, produce, cause, appoint, perform, or render into a stated condition.

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

COMBINED MEANING

war

↗

Sense 1: Armed conflict. Sense 2: As a verb, to fight or contend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:19

COMBINED MEANING

about

↗

1. Around or near in place, position, or movement; on every side, in a circuit, from place to place, or turned from one direction or state toward another. 2. Approximately in number, measure, distance, or time. 3. Concerning, occupied with, or engaged in a matter. 4. On the point of, intending, or attempting an action.

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

flattereth

↗

Third-person singular present form of flatter (to praise insincerely or deceitfully in order to please, influence, or mislead).

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

FOLLOW THE THEME

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Surrounding Verses

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12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.

13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

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14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

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15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

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16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

Selected passage

17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

Selected passage

18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Selected passage

19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

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20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

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