Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Wine turns you into a mocker, alcohol makes you aggressive; you're stupid to be deceived by drink.
2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
When a king gets terribly angry, he sounds like a roaring lion; anyone who makes him furious is liable to be killed.
3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
Avoiding conflict is the proper thing to do, but stupid people are quick to argue.
4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
Slackers don't sow when they should, so when harvest comes they don't have anything.
5 The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
Discovering what someone is planning in their mind is like looking at deep water, but a person who has understanding will find out.
6 Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
Many people tell you they're loyal, but can you find someone really trustworthy?
7 The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
Good people live honestly; how happy are their children if they follow them.
8 A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
When a king sits in judgment he recognizes all that isn't right.
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
Who can claim, “I've made sure my conscience is clean; I've purified myself from sin”?
10 Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.
The Lord hates both dishonest weights and dishonest measures.
11 Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
Even children reveal what they're like by what they do, whether their actions are good and right.
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
The Lord made our ears to hear and our eyes to see.
13 Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
If you love sleeping you'll become poor. Wake up and get busy, and you'll have plenty to eat.
14 “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
“It's really rubbish,” says the one buying, but afterwards goes and boasts to others about making a good deal.
15 There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
There's gold and plenty of expensive gemstones, but talking sense is a more valuable jewel.
16 Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
If someone guarantees a stranger's debt with their cloak, be sure to take it! Make sure you have whatever is pledged to foreigners!
17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
Food you get by cheating may taste sweet, but afterwards it will be like a mouthful of gravel.
18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
With sound advice, plans are successful; if you're going to war, make sure you have good guidance.
19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
A gossip goes around revealing secrets; stay away from people who talk a lot.
20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
Anyone who curses their father or mother will have their light put out and end in utter darkness.
21 An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
Wealth gained too soon won't do you any good in the end.
22 Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
Don't say, “I'll get you back for doing me wrong.” Leave it to the Lord, and he'll help you.
23 Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
The Lord hates incorrect weights; using dishonest scales is wrong.
24 A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
The Lord shows us the way to go, so how would we decide for ourselves?
25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
It's a mistake to make a promise to God and then have second thoughts about it later.
26 A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
A wise king separates out the wicked by winnowing and punishes them by threshing.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
The Lord's light shines on the conscience, revealing our deepest thoughts.
28 Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
Trustworthy love and faithfulness keep a king safe; trustworthy love supports his rule.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
Young men value their strength, but the old value even more the wisdom that comes with gray hair.
30 Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
Wounds and blows clean away what's evil; beatings clean what's deep down inside.
