Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.
It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.
2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.
Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.
3 It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.
Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
4 The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Because of the cold, the lazy one was not willing to plough. Therefore, in the summer, he will beg, and it will not be given to him.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?
Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7 He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.
The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.
9 Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?
Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.
Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14 'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
“It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.
Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.
17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.
Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21 An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22 Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for the LORD, and He will save thee.
Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23 Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24 A man's goings are of the LORD; how then can man look to his way?
The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.
It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26 A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.
A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts.
The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.
Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30 Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.
The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.
