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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 3:15–23

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
¶ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
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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

44 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 15

  1. Proverbs 8:11Rank 1 from verse 15
    Open

    11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

  2. Job 28:18Rank 2 from verse 15
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    18No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

  3. Proverbs 31:10Rank 3 from verse 15
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    10¶ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

  4. Psalms 73:25–26Rank 4 from verse 15
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    25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

    26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

  5. Romans 8:18Rank 5 from verse 15
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    18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

From verse 16

  1. Proverbs 3:2Rank 1 from verse 16
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    2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

  2. 2 Corinthians 6:10Rank 2 from verse 16
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    10As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

  3. Proverbs 22:4Rank 3 from verse 16
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    4By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

  4. 1 Kings 3:13Rank 4 from verse 16
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    13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

  5. 1 Timothy 4:8Rank 5 from verse 16
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    8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

From verse 17

  1. Luke 1:79Rank 1 from verse 17
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    79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

  2. Isaiah 26:3Rank 2 from verse 17
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    3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

  3. Philippians 4:8–9Rank 3 from verse 17
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    8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

    9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

  4. Proverbs 2:10Rank 4 from verse 17
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    10¶ When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

  5. Psalms 119:165Rank 5 from verse 17
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    165Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

From verse 18

  1. Proverbs 11:30Rank 1 from verse 18
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    30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

  2. Proverbs 15:4Rank 2 from verse 18
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    4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

  3. Revelation 2:7Rank 3 from verse 18
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    7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

  4. Genesis 2:9Rank 4 from verse 18
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    9And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

  5. Genesis 3:22Rank 5 from verse 18
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    22¶ And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

From verse 19

  1. Psalms 104:24Rank 1 from verse 19
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    24O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

  2. Jeremiah 10:12Rank 2 from verse 19
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    12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

  3. John 1:3Rank 3 from verse 19
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    3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

  4. Jeremiah 51:15Rank 4 from verse 19
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    15He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

  5. Psalms 136:5Rank 5 from verse 19
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    5To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

From verse 20

  1. Genesis 7:11Rank 1 from verse 20
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    11¶ In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

  2. Psalms 65:9–12Rank 2 from verse 20
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    9Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

    10Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.

    11Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

    12They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.

  3. Genesis 1:9Rank 3 from verse 20
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    9¶ And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

  4. Genesis 27:28Rank 4 from verse 20
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    28Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

  5. Job 36:27–28Rank 5 from verse 20
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    27For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:

    28Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.

From verse 21

  1. Joshua 1:8Rank 1 from verse 21
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    8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

  2. Deuteronomy 6:6–9Rank 2 from verse 21
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    6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

    7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

    8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

    9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

  3. Deuteronomy 32:46–47Rank 3 from verse 21
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    46And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

    47For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

  4. Proverbs 4:21Rank 4 from verse 21
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    21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

  5. Hebrews 2:1–3Rank 5 from verse 21
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    1THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

    2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

    3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

From verse 22

  1. Proverbs 4:22Rank 1 from verse 22
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    22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

  2. Proverbs 1:9Rank 2 from verse 22
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    9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

  3. Isaiah 38:16Rank 3 from verse 22
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    16O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.

  4. John 12:49–50Rank 4 from verse 22
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    49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

    50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

From verse 23

  1. Proverbs 10:9Rank 1 from verse 23
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    9He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

  2. Proverbs 4:12Rank 2 from verse 23
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    12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

  3. Psalms 121:3Rank 3 from verse 23
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    3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

  4. Psalms 91:11–12Rank 4 from verse 23
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    11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

    12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

  5. Psalms 121:8Rank 5 from verse 23
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    8The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 3:15

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

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

compared

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of compare, meaning to examine together, liken, or set one thing beside another to show likeness or difference.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 3:16

COMBINED MEANING

length

↗

1. The extent or measurement of something from end to end. 2. Duration or continuance in time. 3. In “at length,” at last or after a long time.

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

right

↗

1. Correct, just, upright, proper, lawful, fitting, true, or due; also a rightful claim or authority. 2. The direction or side opposite the left. 3. Straight, favourable, skilful, or approved. 4. Very, quite, or fully.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hand

↗

Sense 1: The part of the body at the end of the arm. Sense 2: Figuratively, power, possession, aid, or agency.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

left

↗

Sense 1: Past tense and past participle of leave: departed, abandoned, allowed to remain, or caused to remain. Sense 2: The direction or side opposite the right.

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

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 3:17

COMBINED MEANING

paths

↗

1. Figuratively, ways or courses of conduct, action, or direction. 2. Tracks, roads, routes, or ways of passage or travel.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

peace

↗

Freedom from war, strife, disturbance, or inward trouble; quietness, reconciliation, safety, or well-being.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 3:18

COMBINED MEANING

lay

↗

Sense 1: To put, place, set, arrange, deposit, apply, establish, impose, or cause to be in a stated position or condition. Sense 2: As the past tense of lie, to recline, rest, be situated, or remain in a state. Sense 3: In lay with, to have sexual relations. Sense 4: To press or bear upon. Sense 5: In lay up, lay by, or lay in store, to keep, store, or treasure; in lay wait, lay snares, lay an ambush, or lay siege, to prepare or set. Sense 6: In lay hold or lay hands on, to seize, take, apprehend, or touch. Sense 7: In lay down one's life, to surrender or give it; in lay aside, lay apart, or lay away, to remove, reject, or put off.

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

COMBINED MEANING

hold

↗

Sense 1: To grasp, seize, cling to, carry, wield, support, or keep fast, literally or figuratively. Sense 2: To keep, retain, possess, maintain, continue in, or adhere to. Sense 3: To restrain, confine, or keep back; to contain or have capacity. Sense 4: To regard, account, or judge. Sense 5: To conduct or celebrate an observance. Sense 6: To endure, prevail, or take effect. Sense 7: In hold one's peace or hold one's tongue, to remain silent. Sense 8: As a noun, a grasp or attachment; a place of confinement, refuge, security, or fortification.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

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

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

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

COMBINED MEANING

retaineth

↗

Third-person singular present form of retain (to hold or keep in possession; not to lose or part with or dismiss).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 3:19

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

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

COMBINED MEANING

earth

↗

Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

COMBINED MEANING

established

↗

Set firmly; founded, made stable, ordained, enacted, ratified, or confirmed.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 3:20

COMBINED MEANING

clouds

↗

Sense 1: Visible masses of condensed vapour in the sky. Sense 2: Figures of covering, multitude, or obscurity.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

drop

↗

Sense 1: A small rounded portion of liquid. Sense 2: To fall, let fall, distil, or pour in drops.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dew

↗

Moisture that falls or settles in drops, especially at night.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 3:21

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

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

depart

↗

1. To leave, go away, or move from a place or person. 2. To cease to remain, be removed, disappear, or pass away. 3. To turn or separate from a way, practice, allegiance, or relationship. 4. To leave earthly life or this world.

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

keep

↗

To guard, watch, protect, preserve, secure, retain, possess, hold, maintain, support, tend, manage, observe, obey, fulfil, celebrate, continue in, refrain from, or remain faithful to a person, place, trust, command, promise, way, time, or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sound

↗

Sense 1: Sound: an audible noise, voice, report, or message. Sense 2: As an adjective, healthy, whole, firm, or free from error. Sense 3: As a verb, to make a noise, play or blow an instrument, or give a signal.

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 3:22

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

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

COMBINED MEANING

grace

↗

Sense 1: Favor, acceptance, goodwill, kindness, or mercy. Sense 2: A favor, gift, benefit, or help freely bestowed, especially God's favor and enabling help; in salvation, explicitly contrasted with works and debt. Sense 3: Pleasing quality, beauty, attractiveness, or elegance, including gracious speech. Sense 4: Thankfulness or gratitude.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 3:23

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

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

foot

↗

Sense 1: The lower extremity used for standing or walking. Sense 2: A measure, base, or lowest part. Sense 3: As a verb, to tread or walk.

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

stumble

↗

Sense 1: To trip, lose footing, or fall by striking against something. Sense 2: To err, fall, or be hindered figuratively. Sense 3: To cause another to trip, fall, err, or be hindered.

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.

14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Selected passage

16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

Selected passage

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Selected passage

18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Selected passage

19The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

Selected passage

20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Selected passage

21¶ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

Selected passage

22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

Selected passage

23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

Selected passage

24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

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