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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 23:1–5

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
WHEN thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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5 selected · 5 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 1

  1. Genesis 43:32–34Rank 1 from verse 1
    Open

    32And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

    33And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.

    34And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

  2. Jude 1:12Rank 2 from verse 1
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    12These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

From verse 2

  1. Philippians 3:19Rank 1 from verse 2
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    19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

  2. Matthew 18:8–9Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

    9And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

  3. 1 Corinthians 9:27Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

From verse 3

  1. Proverbs 23:6Rank 1 from verse 3
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    6Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

  2. Luke 21:34Rank 2 from verse 3
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    34¶ And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

  3. Psalms 141:4Rank 3 from verse 3
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    4Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

  4. Daniel 1:8Rank 4 from verse 3
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    8¶ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

  5. Ephesians 4:22Rank 5 from verse 3
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    22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

From verse 4

  1. Hebrews 13:5Rank 1 from verse 4
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    5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

  2. Proverbs 28:20Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

  3. 1 Timothy 6:8–10Rank 3 from verse 4
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    8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

    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.

    10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  4. Matthew 6:19Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    19¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

  5. Proverbs 3:5Rank 5 from verse 4
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    5¶ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

From verse 5

  1. Proverbs 27:24Rank 1 from verse 5
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    24For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

  2. 1 John 2:16Rank 2 from verse 5
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    16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  3. 1 Timothy 6:17Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

  4. James 5:1–2Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    1GO to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

    2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

  5. Matthew 6:19Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    19¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:1

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

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

COMBINED MEANING

eat

↗

To take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ruler

↗

Sense 1: One who governs or exercises authority. Sense 2: A straight measuring instrument.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

consider

↗

1. To think upon attentively; to examine or weigh. 2. To regard, observe, or take notice of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:2

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

throat

↗

The anterior part of the neck of an animal, in which are the gullet and windpipe, or the passages for the food and breath.

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

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:3

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

meat

↗

Sense 1: Food, nourishment, sustenance, or provision. Sense 2: Figuratively, that which nourishes or sustains.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:4

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

COMBINED MEANING

rich

↗

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

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

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:5

COMBINED MEANING

wilt

↗

Sense 1: Second-person singular present form of will: choosest, intendest, or art disposed to. Sense 2: As an auxiliary, marks future action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

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

COMBINED MEANING

set

↗

1. To put or place a person or thing in a position, relation, or condition; when passive, to be so placed, fixed, or adorned. 2. To establish, fix, appoint, assign, prescribe, or determine. 3. To arrange, prepare, present, display, or put in order or array. 4. To direct, turn, or firmly apply the face, heart, eyes, mind, affection, or action toward something. 5. To start, advance, send out, proceed on a course or work, or make an attack, as in set forward, set forth, or set upon where those meanings apply. 6. To value or esteem; or, in set at nought or set light by, to despise. 7. Of the sun, to go down.

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

COMBINED MEANING

eyes

↗

The bodily organs of sight; by extension, sight, attention, observation, perception, understanding, desire, judgment, estimation, favour, or the presence and view before which something occurs.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

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

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

wings

↗

Sense 1: Feathered or extended parts by which birds and other winged creatures fly. Sense 2: Figuratively, means of swift movement, protective shelter, or spreading reach.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fly

↗

Sense 1: To move through the air by wings. Sense 2: To flee, rush, or pass away swiftly. Sense 3: As a noun, a winged insect.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

toward

↗

1. In the direction of or in relation to. 2. Approaching. 3. Inclined or ready.

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

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

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

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 22:29–23:6

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

22:29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

23:1WHEN thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:

Selected passage

23:2And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

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23:3Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

Selected passage

23:4Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

Selected passage

23:5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Selected passage

23:6Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

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