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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 23:19–27

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
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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

41 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 19

  1. Proverbs 23:26Rank 1 from verse 19
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    26My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

  2. Proverbs 23:12Rank 2 from verse 19
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    12Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

  3. Proverbs 4:10–23Rank 3 from verse 19
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    10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

    11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

    12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

    13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

    14¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

    15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

    16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

    17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

    18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

    19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

    20¶ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

    21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

    22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

    23¶ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

  4. Proverbs 6:6Rank 4 from verse 19
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    6¶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

  5. Proverbs 9:6Rank 5 from verse 19
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    6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

From verse 20

  1. Ephesians 5:18Rank 1 from verse 20
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    18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

  2. Luke 21:34Rank 2 from verse 20
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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. Isaiah 5:22Rank 3 from verse 20
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    22Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

  4. Romans 13:13Rank 4 from verse 20
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    13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

  5. 1 Peter 4:3–4Rank 5 from verse 20
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    3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

    4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

From verse 21

  1. Proverbs 21:17Rank 1 from verse 21
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    17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

  2. Philippians 3:19Rank 2 from verse 21
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    19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

  3. Proverbs 19:15Rank 3 from verse 21
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    15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

  4. 1 Corinthians 5:11Rank 4 from verse 21
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    11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

  5. Deuteronomy 21:20Rank 5 from verse 21
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    20And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

From verse 22

  1. Proverbs 30:17Rank 1 from verse 22
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    17The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

  2. Proverbs 1:8Rank 2 from verse 22
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    8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

  3. John 19:26–27Rank 3 from verse 22
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    26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

    27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

  4. Ephesians 6:1–2Rank 4 from verse 22
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    1CHILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

    2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

  5. Proverbs 6:20Rank 5 from verse 22
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    20¶ My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

From verse 23

  1. Proverbs 18:15Rank 1 from verse 23
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    15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

  2. Matthew 13:44Rank 2 from verse 23
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    44¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

  3. Psalms 119:72Rank 3 from verse 23
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    72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

  4. Proverbs 16:16Rank 4 from verse 23
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    16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

  5. Hebrews 11:26Rank 5 from verse 23
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    26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

From verse 24

  1. Proverbs 10:1Rank 1 from verse 24
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    1THE proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

  2. Proverbs 15:20Rank 2 from verse 24
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    20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

  3. Proverbs 23:15–16Rank 3 from verse 24
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    15My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

    16Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

  4. Proverbs 29:3Rank 4 from verse 24
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    3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

  5. Philemon 1:20Rank 5 from verse 24
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    20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

From verse 25

  1. Proverbs 17:25Rank 1 from verse 25
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    25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

  2. Luke 1:58Rank 2 from verse 25
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    58And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

  3. Luke 11:27–28Rank 3 from verse 25
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    27¶ And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

    28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

  4. 1 Chronicles 4:9–10Rank 4 from verse 25
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    9¶ And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

    10And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

  5. Luke 1:40–47Rank 5 from verse 25
    Open

    40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

    41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

    42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

    43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

    44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

    45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

    46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

    47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

From verse 26

  1. Psalms 119:2Rank 1 from verse 26
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    2Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

  2. Psalms 119:9–11Rank 2 from verse 26
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    9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

    10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

    11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

  3. Deuteronomy 6:5Rank 3 from verse 26
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    5And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

  4. Matthew 10:37–38Rank 4 from verse 26
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    37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

    38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

  5. Proverbs 4:25–27Rank 5 from verse 26
    Open

    25Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

    26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

    27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

From verse 27

  1. Proverbs 22:14Rank 1 from verse 27
    Open

    14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:19

COMBINED MEANING

hear

↗

Sense 1: To perceive sound or spoken words. Sense 2: To receive or learn by report. Sense 3: To listen to, regard, or heed. Sense 4: To attend favourably to a request.

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

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

guide

↗

1. To lead or direct in a way, course, action, or understanding. 2. One who leads or directs another.

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

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 23:20

COMBINED MEANING

riotous

↗

Wastefully extravagant, disorderly, unrestrained, or given to excess.

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

COMBINED MEANING

flesh

↗

Sense 1: The soft substance of the body. Sense 2: The body, human nature, kindred, or mankind.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:21

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

drunkard

↗

A person habitually given to drunkenness or excessive strong drink.

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

COMBINED MEANING

glutton

↗

One who indulges to excess in eating.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · 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

poverty

↗

The condition of being poor, destitute, or lacking necessary provision.

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

COMBINED MEANING

clothe

↗

Sense 1: To put garments upon or provide clothing. Sense 2: Figuratively, to cover, invest, or surround with the condition or quality named.

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 23:22

COMBINED MEANING

hearken

↗

1. To listen attentively or give heed. 2. To give regard, consent, or act in response.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

begat

↗

1. Fathered or brought forth as offspring; in a genealogy, identified a male progenitor in the stated line. 2. Brought forth, formed, or gave life in a spiritual or figurative relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mother

↗

Sense 1: A female parent. Sense 2: Figuratively, a source, chief city, or maternal relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

old

↗

1. Advanced in age or existing for a long time. 2. Of the stated or specified age. 3. Ancient, former, previous, or worn.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:23

COMBINED MEANING

truth

↗

1. That which is true; conformity to fact or reality. 2. Faithfulness. 3. God's revealed word.

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

COMBINED MEANING

sell

↗

1. To transfer for a price. 2. To betray or surrender into another's power.

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

COMBINED MEANING

instruction

↗

Teaching or information that directs understanding and conduct; correction, discipline, or an instructive warning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · 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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:24

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

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

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

rejoice

↗

1. To be glad, take joy, delight, or exult; to express gladness. 2. To make glad or cause to rejoice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

child

↗

1. A son or daughter; an offspring or descendant. 2. A young person or infant, considered by age or development. 3. In 'with child,' pregnant or carrying an unborn child. 4. One described as belonging to, derived from, characterized by, or dependent upon another person, group, or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

joy

↗

Sense 1: Gladness, delight, or rejoicing. Sense 2: To rejoice, delight, or be glad.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:25

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mother

↗

Sense 1: A female parent. Sense 2: Figuratively, a source, chief city, or maternal relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

glad

↗

Pleased; affected with pleasure or moderate joy; moderately happy.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bare

↗

1. As the past tense of bear, brought forth or gave birth to offspring; also produced fruit or other increase. 2. Carried, conveyed, supported, lifted, or sustained a person, object, or load. 3. Bore, endured, or took upon oneself a loss, infirmity, sin, or other burden. 4. Gave witness or record; testified. 5. Exercised rule or authority. 6. As an adjective, uncovered, naked, exposed, stripped, or without covering.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rejoice

↗

1. To be glad, take joy, delight, or exult; to express gladness. 2. To make glad or cause to rejoice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:26

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

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

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

observe

↗

Sense 1: To watch, notice, behold, or take heed of. Sense 2: To keep, carefully perform, or comply with.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 23:27

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

whore

↗

Sense 1: A woman who engages in prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse. Sense 2: Figuratively, a city or people portrayed as unfaithful.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · 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

strange

↗

Foreign; belonging to another country. Wonderful; causing surprise; exciting curiosity.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

narrow

↗

Sense 1: Of little width; restricted, confined, or hard-pressed. Sense 2: To contract or make less wide.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pit

↗

Sense 1: A hole, cavity, cistern, dungeon, trap, or place of confinement. Sense 2: The grave, deep ruin, or a place of judgment.

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 THE PASSAGE

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Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 23:18–28

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

23:18For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

23:19Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

Selected passage

23:20Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

Selected passage

23:21For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Selected passage

23:22Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Selected passage

23:23Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Selected passage

23:24The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

Selected passage

23:25Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Selected passage

23:26My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

Selected passage

23:27For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

Selected passage

23:28She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

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