Proverbs 20
1 Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whoever is deceived by it is not wise.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.
2 The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoever] provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own soul.
The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.
3 [It is] an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.
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 when winter setteth in; 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?
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?
7 The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him.
He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.
8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth 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 clean, I am pure from my sin'?
10 Divers weights, [and] divers measures, both of them [are] alike abomination to the LORD.
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [is] pure, and whether [it is] right.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be 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 even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thy eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.
14 [It is] naught, [it is] naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone, then he boasteth.
'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
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 rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.
17 Bread of deceit [is] sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Bread of falsehood 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 make war.
Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.
19 He that goeth about [as] a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
20 Whoever curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end of it shall not be blessed.
An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for the LORD, and He will save thee.
23 Divers weights [are] an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance [is] not good.
Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24 Man's goings [are] of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
A man's goings are of the LORD; how then can man look to his way?
25 [It is] a snare to the man [who] devoureth [that which is] holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.
26 A wise king scatterreth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the 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 lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upheld by mercy.
Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.
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; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so [do] stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.
