Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker and strong drinke is raging: and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby, is not wise.
Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them 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 like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
4 The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; 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?
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7 He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.
A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8 A King that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, chaseth away all euill with his eyes.
A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters 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 pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10 Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
11 A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is 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, Yahweh has made even both of them.
13 Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 It is naught, it is naught, sayth the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth.
“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 There is golde, and a multitude of precious stones: but the lips of knowledge are a precious iewel.
There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
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 deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 He that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with 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 or his mother, his light shalbe put out in obscure darkenes.
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed 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 will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
23 Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?
A man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand 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 to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26 A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing 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 Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
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. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
