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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 21:23–26

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
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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

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

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.

From verse 24

  1. Psalms 1:1Rank 1 from verse 24
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

From verse 25

  1. Proverbs 13:4Rank 1 from verse 25
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    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
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    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
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    24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

  4. Proverbs 19:24Rank 4 from verse 25
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    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
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    27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

From verse 26

  1. Psalms 37:26Rank 1 from verse 26
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    26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

  2. Acts 20:33–35Rank 2 from verse 26
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    33I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.

    34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

    35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

  3. Psalms 112:9Rank 3 from verse 26
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    9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

  4. Ephesians 4:28Rank 4 from verse 26
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    28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:5–9Rank 5 from verse 26
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    5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

    6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

    7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

    8So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

    9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:26

COMBINED MEANING

coveteth

↗

Third-person singular present form of covet. Sense 1: To desire or long for earnestly. Sense 2: To desire unlawfully or greedily what belongs to another.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

day

↗

Sense 1: Light or the period of light between morning and evening, as distinguished from night. Sense 2: A complete daily cycle. Sense 3: A specified time, occasion, period, age, or season.

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

COMBINED MEANING

long

↗

Sense 1: Extending a great distance or duration. Sense 2: To desire earnestly.

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

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

spareth

↗

Spares: refrains from harming, punishing, using, or destroying; saves, preserves, allows, or uses frugally.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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Surrounding Verses

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

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

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.

Selected passage

27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

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