< Proverbs 20 >
1 Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink full of violence: but every fool is entangled with them.
2 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] a glory to a man to turn aside from railing; but every fool is entangled with such matters.
4 A sluggard when reproached is not ashamed: so also he who borrows corn in harvest.
5 Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a prudent man will draw it out.
6 A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but [it is] hard to find a faithful man.
7 He that walks blameless in justice, shall leave his children blessed.
8 Whenever a righteous king sits on the throne, no evil thing can stand before his presence.
9 Who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sins?
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.
11 A youth [when in company] with a godly man, will be restrained in his devices, and [then] his way will be straight.
12 The ear hears, and the eye sees: even both of them are the Lord's work.
13 Love not to speak ill, lest you be cut off: open your eyes, and be filled with bread.
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20 The lamp of him that reviles father or mother shall be put out, and his eyeballs shall see darkness.
21 A portion hastily gotten at first shall 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.
23 A double weight is an abomination to the Lord; and a deceitful balance is not good in his sight.
24 A man's goings are directed of the Lord: how then can a mortal understand his ways?
25 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 utterly crushes the ungodly, and will bring a wheel upon them.
27 The spirit of man is a light of the Lord, who searches the inmost parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth are a guard to a king, and will surround his throne with righteousness.
29 Wisdom is an ornament to young men; and grey [hairs] are the glory of old men.
30 Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues [shall come] in the inward parts of [their] belly.
