Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray, intoxicated, unintentional sin ·error·by them is not wise.
2 As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger sins ·deviates (from the standard goal)· against his own life.
3 It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
It is kavod ·weighty glory· for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.
4 Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall begin harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
Many men claim to be men of chesed ·loving-kindness·, but who can find a faithful man?
7 The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
A upright man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8 The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without habitual sin ·missing the mark·?”
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Adonai.
11 By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and 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, the Lord hath made them both.
The sh'ma ·hearing obeying· ear, and the seeing eye, Adonai has made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
Don’t 'ahav ·affectionately love· sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
“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 jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 The bread of lying 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 Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp candle shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, won’t be blessed in the end.
22 Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Adonai, and he will save you.
23 Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
Adonai detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
A man’s steps are from Adonai; how then can man understand his way?
25 It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
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 over them the wheel.
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
The spirit of man is Adonai’s lamp candle, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
Chesed ·Loving-kindness· and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by chesed ·loving-kindness·.
29 The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
