Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 21:17–25

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
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

44 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 17

  1. Proverbs 23:21Rank 1 from verse 17
    Open

    21For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

  2. 1 Timothy 5:6Rank 2 from verse 17
    Open

    6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

  3. 2 Timothy 3:4Rank 3 from verse 17
    Open

    4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

  4. Proverbs 5:10–11Rank 4 from verse 17
    Open

    10Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;

    11And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

  5. Proverbs 21:20Rank 5 from verse 17
    Open

    20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

From verse 18

  1. Proverbs 11:8Rank 1 from verse 18
    Open

    8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

  2. Isaiah 43:3–4Rank 2 from verse 18
    Open

    3For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

    4Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

  3. Isaiah 53:4–5Rank 3 from verse 18
    Open

    4¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

    5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

  4. 1 Peter 3:18Rank 4 from verse 18
    Open

    18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

  5. Isaiah 55:8–9Rank 5 from verse 18
    Open

    8¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

    9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

From verse 19

  1. Proverbs 21:9Rank 1 from verse 19
    Open

    9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

  2. Psalms 55:6–7Rank 2 from verse 19
    Open

    6And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

    7Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

  3. Psalms 120:5–6Rank 3 from verse 19
    Open

    5Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

    6My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

  4. Jeremiah 9:2Rank 4 from verse 19
    Open

    2Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

From verse 20

  1. Matthew 25:3–4Rank 1 from verse 20
    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.

  2. Ecclesiastes 5:19Rank 2 from verse 20
    Open

    19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

  3. Psalms 112:3Rank 3 from verse 20
    Open

    3Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

  4. Ecclesiastes 7:11Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    11¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

  5. Proverbs 15:6Rank 5 from verse 20
    Open

    6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

From verse 21

  1. Matthew 5:6Rank 1 from verse 21
    Open

    6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

  2. 1 Corinthians 15:58Rank 2 from verse 21
    Open

    58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

  3. Proverbs 22:4Rank 3 from verse 21
    Open

    4By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

  4. 1 Timothy 6:11Rank 4 from verse 21
    Open

    11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

  5. Hebrews 12:14Rank 5 from verse 21
    Open

    14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

From verse 22

  1. Ecclesiastes 7:19Rank 1 from verse 22
    Open

    19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

  2. Proverbs 24:5Rank 2 from verse 22
    Open

    5A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

  3. Ecclesiastes 9:13–18Rank 3 from verse 22
    Open

    13¶ This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:

    14There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:

    15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

    16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

    17The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

    18Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

  4. 2 Samuel 20:16–22Rank 4 from verse 22
    Open

    16¶ Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.

    17And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.

    18Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.

    19I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?

    20And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

    21The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.

    22Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

  5. 2 Samuel 5:6–9Rank 5 from verse 22
    Open

    6¶ And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

    7Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

    8And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

    9So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

From verse 23

  1. Proverbs 13:3Rank 1 from verse 23
    Open

    3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

  2. Proverbs 18:21Rank 2 from verse 23
    Open

    21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

  3. Proverbs 17:27–28Rank 3 from verse 23
    Open

    27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

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

  4. James 1:26Rank 4 from verse 23
    Open

    26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

  5. Proverbs 12:13Rank 5 from verse 23
    Open

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

From verse 24

  1. Psalms 1:1Rank 1 from verse 24
    Open

    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.

  2. Ecclesiastes 7:8–9Rank 2 from verse 24
    Open

    8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

    9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

  3. Matthew 2:16Rank 3 from verse 24
    Open

    16¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

  4. Proverbs 1:22Rank 4 from verse 24
    Open

    22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

  5. Proverbs 18:12Rank 5 from verse 24
    Open

    12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

From verse 25

  1. Proverbs 13:4Rank 1 from verse 25
    Open

    4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

  2. Matthew 25:26Rank 2 from verse 25
    Open

    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:

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

    24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

  4. Proverbs 19:24Rank 4 from verse 25
    Open

    24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

  5. Proverbs 12:27Rank 5 from verse 25
    Open

    27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:17

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

man

↗

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

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wine

↗

The produce of grapes or other fruit used as a drink.

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

COMBINED MEANING

oil

↗

1. An oily substance, especially olive oil. 2. To anoint or supply with oil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rich

↗

Possessing abundance, wealth, resources, value, fruitfulness, or fullness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:18

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

ransom

↗

Sense 1: A price or payment for release or deliverance. Sense 2: As a verb, to redeem, rescue, or deliver.

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

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

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

upright

↗

1. Honest, just, or morally right; also a person so characterized. 2. Straight, erect, or standing up.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:19

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

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

COMBINED MEANING

wilderness

↗

Uncultivated, desolate, sparsely inhabited, or uninhabited land; a desert, wild country, or solitary region.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:20

COMBINED MEANING

treasure

↗

Sense 1: Valuable things or provisions stored; a specially valued possession. Sense 2: An inward store from which something is brought forth.

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

COMBINED MEANING

desired

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of desire, meaning to wish for, long for, request, or take pleasure in.

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

COMBINED MEANING

oil

↗

1. An oily substance, especially olive oil. 2. To anoint or supply with oil.

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

dwelling

↗

Sense 1: Residing, remaining, or abiding. Sense 2: A habitation, home, resting place, or territory.

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

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

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

man

↗

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

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spendeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of spend. Sense 1: To use, expend, consume, or give out. Sense 2: To pass time or life in a stated manner.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:21

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

mercy

↗

Compassion or pity shown to the distressed or guilty; kindness that withholds deserved harm.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

findeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of find (to discover, meet with, obtain, perceive, or learn by search or experience).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:22

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

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

mighty

↗

Possessing or displaying great strength, power, ability, rank, or effect.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

strength

↗

Power, might, force, ability, firmness, courage, capacity, support, defence, resources, or that by which a person or thing is enabled to stand, act, endure, overcome, or accomplish a work.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

confidence

↗

Sense 1: Trust, assurance, boldness, or settled reliance. Sense 2: The person or thing in which trust is placed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616 · Cawdrey 1604

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:23

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

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · 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 21:24

COMBINED MEANING

name

↗

Sense 1: A word, appellation, or designation by which a person or thing is called or known. Sense 2: The person or persons named or represented. Sense 3: Reputation, character, renown, or remembrance. Sense 4: The authority, behalf, or standing represented by a name. Sense 5: As a verb, to call, designate, or mention by name.

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

wrath

↗

Fierce anger, indignation, displeasure, rage, or the punitive judgment and destructive action that proceed from it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:25

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

slothful

↗

Lazy, idle, sluggish, negligent, or slow and unwilling to act or labour.

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

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

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

labour

↗

1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.

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 BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

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

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Selected passage

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

Selected passage

19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Selected passage

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Selected passage

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Selected passage

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

Selected passage

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Selected passage

24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Selected passage

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

Selected passage

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

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.