Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker and strong drinke is raging: and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby, is not wise.
Wine turns you into a mocker, alcohol makes you aggressive; you're stupid to be deceived by drink.
2 The feare of the King is like the roaring of a lyon: hee that prouoketh him vnto anger, sinneth against his owne soule.
When a king gets terribly angry, he sounds like a roaring lion; anyone who makes him furious is liable to be killed.
3 It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
Avoiding conflict is the proper thing to do, but stupid people are quick to argue.
4 The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
Slackers don't sow when they should, so when harvest comes they don't have anything.
5 The counsell in the heart of man is like deepe waters: but a man that hath vnderstanding, will drawe it out.
Discovering what someone is planning in their mind is like looking at deep water, but a person who has understanding will find out.
6 Many men wil boast, euery one of his owne goodnes: but who can finde a faithfull man?
Many people tell you they're loyal, but can you find someone really trustworthy?
7 He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.
Good people live honestly; how happy are their children if they follow them.
8 A King that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, chaseth away all euill with his eyes.
When a king sits in judgment he recognizes all that isn't right.
9 Who can say, I haue made mine heart cleane, I am cleane from my sinne?
Who can claim, “I've made sure my conscience is clean; I've purified myself from sin”?
10 Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
The Lord hates both dishonest weights and dishonest measures.
11 A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.
Even children reveal what they're like by what they do, whether their actions are good and right.
12 The Lord hath made both these, euen the eare to heare, and the eye to see.
The Lord made our ears to hear and our eyes to see.
13 Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
If you love sleeping you'll become poor. Wake up and get busy, and you'll have plenty to eat.
14 It is naught, it is naught, sayth the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth.
“It's really rubbish,” says the one buying, but afterwards goes and boasts to others about making a good deal.
15 There is golde, and a multitude of precious stones: but the lips of knowledge are a precious iewel.
There's gold and plenty of expensive gemstones, but talking sense is a more valuable jewel.
16 Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
If someone guarantees a stranger's debt with their cloak, be sure to take it! Make sure you have whatever is pledged to foreigners!
17 The bread of deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.
Food you get by cheating may taste sweet, but afterwards it will be like a mouthful of gravel.
18 Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.
With sound advice, plans are successful; if you're going to war, make sure you have good guidance.
19 He that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
A gossip goes around revealing secrets; stay away from people who talk a lot.
20 He that curseth his father or his mother, his light shalbe put out in obscure darkenes.
Anyone who curses their father or mother will have their light put out and end in utter darkness.
21 An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Wealth gained too soon won't do you any good in the end.
22 Say not thou, I wil recompense euill: but waite vpon the Lord, and he shall saue thee.
Don't say, “I'll get you back for doing me wrong.” Leave it to the Lord, and he'll help you.
23 Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
The Lord hates incorrect weights; using dishonest scales is wrong.
24 The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?
The Lord shows us the way to go, so how would we decide for ourselves?
25 It is a destruction for a man to deuoure that which is sanctified, and after the vowes to inquire.
It's a mistake to make a promise to God and then have second thoughts about it later.
26 A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
A wise king separates out the wicked by winnowing and punishes them by threshing.
27 The light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.
The Lord's light shines on the conscience, revealing our deepest thoughts.
28 Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.
Trustworthy love and faithfulness keep a king safe; trustworthy love supports his rule.
29 The beautie of yong men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.
Young men value their strength, but the old value even more the wisdom that comes with gray hair.
30 The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
Wounds and blows clean away what's evil; beatings clean what's deep down inside.
