Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker and strong drinke is raging: and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby, is not wise.
Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
2 The feare of the King is like the roaring of a lyon: hee that prouoketh him vnto anger, sinneth against his owne soule.
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
3 It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
4 The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
5 The counsell in the heart of man is like deepe waters: but a man that hath vnderstanding, will drawe it out.
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.
6 Many men wil boast, euery one of his owne goodnes: but who can finde a faithfull man?
Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
7 He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.
The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
8 A King that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, chaseth away all euill with his eyes.
The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
9 Who can say, I haue made mine heart cleane, I am cleane from my sinne?
Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
10 Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
11 A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.
By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
12 The Lord hath made both these, euen the eare to heare, and the eye to see.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
13 Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
14 It is naught, it is naught, sayth the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth.
It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
15 There is golde, and a multitude of precious stones: but the lips of knowledge are a precious iewel.
There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
17 The bread of deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.
The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.
Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
19 He that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
20 He that curseth his father or his mother, his light shalbe put out in obscure darkenes.
He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
21 An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
22 Say not thou, I wil recompense euill: but waite vpon the Lord, and he shall saue thee.
Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
23 Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
24 The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?
The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
25 It is a destruction for a man to deuoure that which is sanctified, and after the vowes to inquire.
It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
26 A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
27 The light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
28 Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 The beautie of yong men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.
The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
30 The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
