Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink full of violence: but every fool is entangled with them.
2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
The threat of a king differs not from the rage of a lion; and he that provokes him sins against his own soul.
3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
[It is] a glory to a man to turn aside from railing; but every fool is entangled with such matters.
4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
A sluggard when reproached is not ashamed: so also he who borrows corn in harvest.
5 The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a prudent man will draw it out.
6 Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but [it is] hard to find a faithful man.
7 The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
He that walks blameless in justice, shall leave his children blessed.
8 A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
Whenever a righteous king sits on the throne, no evil thing can stand before his presence.
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
Who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sins?
10 Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.
A large and small weight, and divers measures, are even both of them unclean before the Lord; and [so is] he that makes them.
11 Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
A youth [when in company] with a godly man, will be restrained in his devices, and [then] his way will be straight.
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
The ear hears, and the eye sees: even both of them are the Lord's work.
13 Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
Love not to speak ill, lest thou be cut off: open thine eyes, and be filled with bread.
14 “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15 There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16 Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
The lamp of him that reviles father or mother shall be put out, and his eyeballs shall see darkness.
21 An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
A portion hastily gotten at first shall not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
Say not, I will avenge myself on my enemy; but wait on the Lord, that he may help thee.
23 Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
A double weight is an abomination to the Lord; and a deceitful balance is not good in his sight.
24 A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
A man's goings are directed of the Lord: how then can a mortal understand his ways?
25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
It is a snare to a man hastily to consecrate some of his own property: for [in that case] repentance comes after vowing.
26 A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
A wise king utterly crushes the ungodly, and will bring a wheel upon them.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
The spirit of man is a light of the Lord, who searches the inmost parts of the belly.
28 Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
Mercy and truth are a guard to a king, and will surround his throne with righteousness.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
Wisdom is an ornament to young men; and grey [hairs] are the glory of old men.
30 Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues [shall come] in the inward parts of [their] belly.
