Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 20:17–25

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.
Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

9 selected · 1 available

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

45 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 17

  1. Ecclesiastes 11:9Rank 1 from verse 17
    Open

    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
    Open

    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
    Open

    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
    Open

    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
    Open

    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
    Open

    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
    Open

    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
    Open

    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
    Open

    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.

From verse 20

  1. Exodus 21:17Rank 1 from verse 20
    Open

    17¶ And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

  2. Proverbs 30:11Rank 2 from verse 20
    Open

    11There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

  3. Proverbs 30:17Rank 3 from verse 20
    Open

    17The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

  4. Deuteronomy 27:16Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    16Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  5. Jude 1:13Rank 5 from verse 20
    Open

    13Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

From verse 21

  1. 1 Timothy 6:9Rank 1 from verse 21
    Open

    9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

  2. Proverbs 13:22Rank 2 from verse 21
    Open

    22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

  3. Proverbs 28:8Rank 3 from verse 21
    Open

    8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

  4. Habakkuk 2:6Rank 4 from verse 21
    Open

    6Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!

  5. Job 27:16–17Rank 5 from verse 21
    Open

    16Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;

    17He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

From verse 22

  1. Romans 12:17–19Rank 1 from verse 22
    Open

    17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

    18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

    19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:15Rank 2 from verse 22
    Open

    15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

  3. Proverbs 24:29Rank 3 from verse 22
    Open

    29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

  4. Proverbs 17:13Rank 4 from verse 22
    Open

    13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

  5. 1 Peter 3:9Rank 5 from verse 22
    Open

    9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

From verse 23

  1. Proverbs 20:10Rank 1 from verse 23
    Open

    10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.

  2. Hosea 12:7Rank 2 from verse 23
    Open

    7He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

  3. Ezekiel 45:10Rank 3 from verse 23
    Open

    10Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.

  4. Proverbs 11:1Rank 4 from verse 23
    Open

    1A FALSE balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

  5. Amos 8:5Rank 5 from verse 23
    Open

    5Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?

From verse 24

  1. Proverbs 16:9Rank 1 from verse 24
    Open

    9A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

  2. Jeremiah 10:23Rank 2 from verse 24
    Open

    23¶ O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

  3. Psalms 25:12Rank 3 from verse 24
    Open

    12What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

  4. Psalms 37:23Rank 4 from verse 24
    Open

    23The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

  5. Psalms 25:4Rank 5 from verse 24
    Open

    4Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

From verse 25

  1. Ecclesiastes 5:4–6Rank 1 from verse 25
    Open

    4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

    5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

    6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

  2. Matthew 5:33Rank 2 from verse 25
    Open

    33¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

  3. Leviticus 27:9–10Rank 3 from verse 25
    Open

    9And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the Lord, all that any man giveth of such unto the Lord shall be holy.

    10He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.

  4. Leviticus 5:15Rank 4 from verse 25
    Open

    15If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the Lord; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:

  5. Malachi 3:8–10Rank 5 from verse 25
    Open

    8¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

    9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

    10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:20

COMBINED MEANING

curseth

↗

Third-person singular present form of curse (to utter a wish of evil against one; to imprecate evil upon; to call for mischief or injury to fall upon; to execrate).

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

mother

↗

Sense 1: A female parent. Sense 2: Figuratively, a source, chief city, or maternal relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lamp

↗

Sense 1: An oil vessel and burning wick used for light. Sense 2: By figure, a source, bearer, continuance, or sign of light.

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

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

put

↗

To place, set, lay, appoint, bring into a condition, or cause to be.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

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

darkness

↗

Sense 1: Absence of light. Sense 2: Obscurity, ignorance, distress, or moral evil by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:21

COMBINED MEANING

inheritance

↗

A possession, portion, or heritage received by descent, allotment, promise, or divine gift.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · 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

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

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

blessed

↗

1. Favoured by God, endowed with good, or declared happy. 2. Spoke good of, praised, thanked, or bestowed a blessing upon.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:22

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

recompense

↗

Sense 1: Compensation, reward, repayment, or amends given in return for something done, given, or suffered. Sense 2: To reward, repay, or requite.

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

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

wait

↗

Sense 1: To remain in expectation or readiness. Sense 2: To attend or serve. Sense 3: As a noun, an ambush or concealed watch.

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

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

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

save

↗

Sense 1: To rescue, deliver, preserve, keep alive, heal, recover, or bring safely through. Sense 2: Except or apart from.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:23

COMBINED MEANING

weights

↗

Sense 1: Measures or objects used to determine heaviness. Sense 2: The standards by which things are weighed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

abomination

↗

Sense 1: A person, thing, act, practice, creature, or condition regarded as detestable or loathsome. Sense 2: An idol or idolatrous thing so regarded.

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

COMBINED MEANING

false

↗

Not solid or sound; deceiving expectations. Not faithful or loyal; treacherous; perfidious; deceitful.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

balance

↗

A pair of scales or other weighing instrument used to determine equality or difference of weight.

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

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 20:24

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

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

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:25

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

man

↗

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

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

holy

↗

Sense 1: Morally pure, righteous, undefiled, and separate from evil; supremely so of God. Sense 2: Hallowed, consecrated, set apart, devoted, or belonging to God or sacred use; distinguished from what is common, profane, or unclean.

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

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

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

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.

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

Selected passage

22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

Selected passage

23Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.

Selected passage

24Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?

Selected passage

25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.

Selected passage

26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.