Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 20:18–21

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
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

4 selected · 6 available

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

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.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

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

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

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

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

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.

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.