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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 20:2–5

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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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

18 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. Proverbs 19:12Rank 1 from verse 2
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    12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

  2. Ecclesiastes 10:4Rank 2 from verse 2
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    4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

  3. 1 Kings 2:23Rank 3 from verse 2
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    23Then king Solomon sware by the Lord, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.

  4. Proverbs 8:36Rank 4 from verse 2
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    36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

  5. Amos 3:8Rank 5 from verse 2
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    8The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

From verse 3

  1. Proverbs 16:32Rank 1 from verse 3
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    32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

  2. Proverbs 17:14Rank 2 from verse 3
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    14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

  3. Proverbs 19:11Rank 3 from verse 3
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    11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

  4. Ephesians 4:32–1Rank 4 from verse 3
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    Verse text is unavailable.

  5. Proverbs 14:29Rank 5 from verse 3
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    29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

From verse 4

  1. Proverbs 10:4Rank 1 from verse 4
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    4He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

  2. Proverbs 19:15Rank 2 from verse 4
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    15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

  3. Proverbs 13:4Rank 3 from verse 4
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    4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

  4. Matthew 25:24–28Rank 4 from verse 4
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    24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

    25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

    26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

    27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

    28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

  5. Matthew 25:3–10Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

    4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

    5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

    6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

    7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

    8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

    9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

    10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

From verse 5

  1. 1 Corinthians 2:11Rank 1 from verse 5
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    11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

  2. Proverbs 18:4Rank 2 from verse 5
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    4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

  3. Psalms 64:6Rank 3 from verse 5
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    6They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:2

COMBINED MEANING

fear

↗

1. Alarm, dread, terror, or apprehension. 2. Reverence, awe, or respectful regard. 3. A person, thing, or event feared or revered. 4. To fear, dread, or reverence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

roaring

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of roar, meaning to make such a sound, especially in distress or fierceness.

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

COMBINED MEANING

lion

↗

Sense 1: A large, powerful wild cat. Sense 2: Figuratively, one fierce or strong.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

anger

↗

Sense 1: Strong displeasure or indignation. Sense 2: As a verb, to provoke to such displeasure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

against

↗

Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.

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

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 20:3

COMBINED MEANING

honour

↗

Sense 1: Esteem, respect, dignity, glory, distinction, or exalted standing. Sense 2: To esteem, respect, acknowledge, reward, or adorn.

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

man

↗

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

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cease

↗

To stop or leave off, to come to an end, or to cause something to stop or end.

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

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

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:4

COMBINED MEANING

sluggard

↗

A habitually lazy or idle person who avoids work or timely duty.

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

COMBINED MEANING

plow

↗

Sense 1: An implement for cutting and turning soil. Sense 2: As a verb, to till or break up the ground with it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

reason

↗

A ground or cause; understanding or judgment; to think, discuss, or argue.

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

COMBINED MEANING

cold

↗

Sense 1: Without warmth or heat. Sense 2: As a noun, chill or the condition that causes it. Sense 3: Figuratively, lacking fervent love or spiritual zeal.

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

beg

↗

To ask alms or charity; to practice begging; to live by asking alms.

Meaning drawn from: 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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 20:5

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

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

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

man

↗

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

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

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

water

↗

Sense 1: The common liquid necessary for life. Sense 2: As a verb, to supply with water, irrigate, or cause to drink.

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

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

draw

↗

1. To pull or drag. 2. To bring, lead, or attract. 3. To take out or extract. 4. To make a line.

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

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Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 20:1–6

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

20:1WINE is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

20:2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

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20:3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

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20:4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

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20:5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

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20:6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

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