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 noisy; and whosoever indulgeth therein will never 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.
Like the roaring of a young lion is the dread of a king: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3 It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
It is an honor for a man to cease from a contest; but every fool enrageth himself.
4 The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
Because it is winter's cold, will the sluggard not plough: when he therefore seeketh in the harvest time, there will be nothing.
5 The counsell in the heart of man is like deepe waters: but a man that hath vnderstanding, will drawe it out.
Like deep water is counsel in the heart of man; but the 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 kindness; but who can find a faithful man?
7 He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.
The righteous walketh in his integrity: happy will be 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 justice scattereth away with his eyes all evil.
9 Who can say, I haue made mine heart cleane, I am cleane from my sinne?
Who can say, I have made my heart pure, I am cleansed from my sin.
10 Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
Divers weights, and divers measures, are both of them alike an abomination of the Lord.
11 A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.
Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, whether his work will be pure, and whether it will be upright.
12 The Lord hath made both these, euen the eare to heare, and the eye to see.
The ear that heareth, and the eye that seeth, the Lord hath made both of them alike.
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 thy eyes, so wilt thou be satisfied with bread.
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 doth he 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 pearls; but a precious vessel are the lips of knowledge.
16 Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
Take away his garment, because he hath become surety for a stranger; and on account of a strange woman take a pledge from him.
17 The bread of deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.
Bread of falsehood is pleasant to a man; but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel-stones.
18 Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.
Plans are established by counsel; and with wise reflection conduct 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 enticeth with 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 quenched in obscure darkness.
21 An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
An inheritance hastily gotten at the beginning will at its end not be blessed,
22 Say not thou, I wil recompense euill: but waite vpon the Lord, and he shall saue thee.
Do not say, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the Lord, and he will help thee.
23 Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
Divers weights are an abomination of the Lord; and 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?
From the Lord are the steps of man [ordained]; but man— how can he 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 a snare to a man to sanctify things hastily, and to make inquiry only after having made vows.
26 A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and turneth over them the threshing-wheel.
27 The light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.
A lamp of the Lord is the soul of man, searching all the inner chambers of the body.
28 Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.
Kindness and truth will watch over a king, and he will prop up through kindness his throne.
29 The beautie of yong men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.
The ornament of young men is their strength; and the glory of old men is a hoary head.
30 The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
The bruises of a wound are cleansing means for the bad, and stripes [will reach] the inner chambers of the body.
