Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them 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 like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own 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 honor for a person to keep away from strife, but every fool quarrels.
Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; 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 Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7 A righteous man walks in integrity; blessed are his children after him.
The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters 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 pure. I am clean and without sin?"
Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”
10 Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is 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, Jehovah has made even both of them.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
13 Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14 "It's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
“It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.
15 There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward 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 Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18 Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war.
Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19 He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore do not keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, won't be blessed in the end.
When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22 Do not say, "I will pay back evil." Wait for Jehovah, and he will save you.
Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23 Jehovah detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are no good.
Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24 A man's steps are from Jehovah; how then can man understand 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 to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.
27 The spirit of man is Jehovah's lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28 Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30 Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.
