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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 21:21–23

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

15 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 21

  1. Matthew 5:6Rank 1 from verse 21
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    6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

  2. 1 Corinthians 15:58Rank 2 from verse 21
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    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
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    4By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

  4. 1 Timothy 6:11Rank 4 from verse 21
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    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
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    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
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    19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

  2. Proverbs 24:5Rank 2 from verse 22
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    5A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

  3. Ecclesiastes 9:13–18Rank 3 from verse 22
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

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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

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Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 21:20–24

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

21:20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

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

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21:22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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21:23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Selected passage

21:24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

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