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