Proverbs 20
1 Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoso] provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own soul.
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] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] nothing.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
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 man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7 The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him.
A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10 Divers weights, [and] divers measures, both of them [are] alike abomination to the LORD.
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [be] pure, and whether [it be] right.
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is 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 has made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; 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, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then 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 gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge [are] a precious jewel.
There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Bread of deceit [is] sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 He that goeth about [as] a talebearer revealeth 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 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily 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 will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.
23 Divers weights [are] an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance [is] not good.
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 Man’s goings [are] of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
25 [It is] a snare to the man [who] devoureth [that which is] holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
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 bringeth the wheel over them.
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man [is] the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
The spirit of man is the LORD’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 The glory of young men [is] their strength: and the beauty of old men [is] the gray head.
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so [do] stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
