Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.
Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell 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.
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
3 It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.
It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
4 The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given 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 water: 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 shall find a faithful man?
7 He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.
The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
9 Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?
Who can 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 and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
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 hath made them both.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.
Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
14 'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, 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 a multitude of jewels: but the 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 garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.
Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
21 An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
22 Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for the LORD, and He will save thee.
Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
23 Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
Diverse weights are an abomination before 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 man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can 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 to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
26 A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.
Mercy and truth preserve 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 young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
30 Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.
The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
