Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a scorner, strong drink is raging; and whoso erreth thereby is not wise.
Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool rusheth into it.
It is an honor for a person to keep away from strife, but every fool quarrels.
4 The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is deep water, and a man of understanding draweth it out.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; but a faithful man who shall find?
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7 The righteous walketh in his integrity: blessed are his children after him!
A righteous man walks in integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8 A king sitting on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?"
10 Divers weights, divers measures, even both of them are abomination to Jehovah.
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, The LORD has made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 Bad! bad! saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
"It's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious Jewel.
There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take his garment that is become surety [for] another, and hold him in pledge for strangers.
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Plans are established by counsel; and with good advice make war.
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war.
19 He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth his lips.
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore do not keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 An inheritance obtained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, won't be blessed in the end.
22 Say not, I will recompense evil: wait on Jehovah, and he shall save thee.
Do not say, "I will pay back evil." Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.
23 Divers weights are an abomination unto Jehovah; and a false balance is not good.
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are no good.
24 The steps of a man are from Jehovah; and how can a man understand his own way?
A man's steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is hallowed, and after vows to make inquiry.
It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 Man's spirit is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inner parts of the belly.
The spirit of man is the LORD's lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king; and he upholdeth his throne by mercy.
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Wounding stripes purge away evil, and strokes [purge] the inner parts of the belly.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
