Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker and strong drinke is raging: and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby, is not wise.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not 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.
The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.
3 It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.
4 The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
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 man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Many men wil boast, euery one of his owne goodnes: but who can finde a faithfull man?
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?
7 He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.
He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.
8 A King that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, chaseth away all euill with his eyes.
A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I haue made mine heart cleane, I am cleane from my sinne?
Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?
10 Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11 A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be 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 even both of them.
13 Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.
14 It is naught, it is naught, sayth the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth.
'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
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 rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.
17 The bread of deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.
Bread of falsehood 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.
Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.
19 He that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
20 He that curseth his father or his mother, his light shalbe put out in obscure darkenes.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
21 An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I wil recompense euill: but waite vpon the Lord, and he shall saue thee.
Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for the LORD, and He will save thee.
23 Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24 The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?
A man's goings are of the LORD; how then can man look to his way?
25 It is a destruction for a man to deuoure that which is sanctified, and after the vowes to inquire.
It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.
26 A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.
27 The light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.
The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts.
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 upheld by mercy.
29 The beautie of yong men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.
The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
30 The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.
