Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 6:17–22

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
¶ My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

6 selected · 4 available

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

30 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 17

  1. Psalms 120:2–3Rank 1 from verse 17
    Open

    2Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

    3What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

  2. Proverbs 12:22Rank 2 from verse 17
    Open

    22Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

  3. Isaiah 1:15Rank 3 from verse 17
    Open

    15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

  4. Psalms 101:5Rank 4 from verse 17
    Open

    5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

  5. Psalms 5:6Rank 5 from verse 17
    Open

    6Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

From verse 18

  1. Genesis 6:5Rank 1 from verse 18
    Open

    5¶ And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

  2. Proverbs 1:16Rank 2 from verse 18
    Open

    16For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

  3. Jeremiah 4:14Rank 3 from verse 18
    Open

    14O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

  4. Psalms 36:4Rank 4 from verse 18
    Open

    4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

  5. Romans 3:15Rank 5 from verse 18
    Open

    15Their feet are swift to shed blood:

From verse 19

  1. Proverbs 19:5Rank 1 from verse 19
    Open

    5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

  2. Proverbs 6:14Rank 2 from verse 19
    Open

    14Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

  3. James 3:18Rank 3 from verse 19
    Open

    18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

  4. Proverbs 19:9Rank 4 from verse 19
    Open

    9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

  5. Psalms 27:12Rank 5 from verse 19
    Open

    12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

From verse 20

  1. Ephesians 6:1Rank 1 from verse 20
    Open

    1CHILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

  2. Deuteronomy 27:16Rank 2 from verse 20
    Open

    16Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  3. Proverbs 7:1–4Rank 3 from verse 20
    Open

    1MY son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

    2Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

    3Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

    4Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

  4. Proverbs 1:8–9Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

    9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

  5. Proverbs 23:22Rank 5 from verse 20
    Open

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

From verse 21

  1. Proverbs 3:3Rank 1 from verse 21
    Open

    3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

  2. Proverbs 7:3–4Rank 2 from verse 21
    Open

    3Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

    4Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

  3. 2 Corinthians 3:3Rank 3 from verse 21
    Open

    3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

  4. Deuteronomy 6:8Rank 4 from verse 21
    Open

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

  5. Exodus 13:16Rank 5 from verse 21
    Open

    16And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt.

From verse 22

  1. Psalms 119:11Rank 1 from verse 22
    Open

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

  2. Proverbs 3:23–24Rank 2 from verse 22
    Open

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

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

  3. Proverbs 2:11Rank 3 from verse 22
    Open

    11Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

  4. Psalms 119:24Rank 4 from verse 22
    Open

    24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellers.

  5. Psalms 119:97Rank 5 from verse 22
    Open

    97O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 6:17

COMBINED MEANING

look

↗

Sense 1: To direct the eyes or attention; to behold, observe, expect, or take heed. Sense 2: An appearance, countenance, expression, or aspect.

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

COMBINED MEANING

lying

↗

1. Reclining, resting, remaining, or being situated in a place. 2. Speaking or representing what is false or deceptive. 3. Lying with a person; having sexual intercourse.

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

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

shed

↗

To pour out, spill, cast off, or cause to flow, especially blood.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

blood

↗

Sense 1: The bodily fluid associated with physical life. Sense 2: Life taken, bloodshed, or guilt and responsibility for it. Sense 3: Kindred, shared human descent, or natural human nature. Sense 4: The juice of grapes.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 6:18

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

COMBINED MEANING

running

↗

That which runs or flows; the act of running or passing with speed; the discharge of an ulcer or other sore.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 6:19

COMBINED MEANING

false

↗

Not solid or sound; deceiving expectations. Not faithful or loyal; treacherous; perfidious; deceitful.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

witness

↗

Sense 1: A person or thing that attests, testifies, records, or supplies evidence; also testimony, record, or the act of bearing testimony. Sense 2: To see in person, testify, attest, or give evidence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lies

↗

Sense 1: False statements or deceptions. Sense 2: As a verb, reclines, remains, is situated, or speaks falsely.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

soweth

↗

Sense 1: Third-person singular present form of sow, meaning to scatter or plant seed. Sense 2: Figuratively, to spread what will produce a result.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 6:20

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

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

commandment

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative command, charge, order, or precept to be obeyed. Sense 2: One of the ten commandments.

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

COMBINED MEANING

forsake

↗

To leave, abandon, desert, reject, renounce, cease following, or withdraw from a person, place, way, command, duty, affection, or former course.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · 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

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 6:21

COMBINED MEANING

bind

↗

To tie together, or confine with a cord, or any thing that is flexible; to fasten as with a band, fillet or ligature.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

continually

↗

1. Repeatedly, habitually, or at every appointed recurrence. 2. Without pause or cessation during the period stated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · 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

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

about

↗

1. Around or near in place, position, or movement; on every side, in a circuit, from place to place, or turned from one direction or state toward another. 2. Approximately in number, measure, distance, or time. 3. Concerning, occupied with, or engaged in a matter. 4. On the point of, intending, or attempting an action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 6:22

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

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

lead

↗

Sense 1: A soft, heavy metal. Sense 2: As a verb, to guide, conduct, or go before.

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

awakest

↗

Second-person singular present form of awake, meaning to cease sleeping, or to arouse from sleep or inactivity.

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 BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

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

16¶ These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Selected passage

18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Selected passage

19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Selected passage

20¶ My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Selected passage

21Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

Selected passage

22When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

Selected passage

23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.