Proverbs 20

1  WINE IS a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise. 2  The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger or angers himself against him sins against his own life.3  It is an honor for a man to cease from strife and keep aloof from it, but every fool will quarrel.4  The sluggard does not plow when winter sets in; therefore he begs in harvest and has nothing.5  Counsel in the heart of man is like water in a deep well, but a man of understanding draws it out. 6  Many a man proclaims his own loving-kindness and goodness, but a faithful man who can find?7  The righteous man walks in his integrity; blessed (happy, fortunate, enviable) are his children after him.8  A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows out all evil [like chaff] with his eyes.9  Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? 10  Diverse weights [one for buying and another for selling] and diverse measures--both of them are exceedingly offensive and abhorrent to the Lord. 11  Even a child is known by his acts, whether [or not] what he does is pure and right.12  The hearing ear and the seeing eye--the Lord has made both of them.13  Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes and you will be satisfied with bread.14  It is worthless, it is worthless! says the buyer; but when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].15  There is gold, and a multitude of pearls, but the lips of knowledge are a vase of preciousness [the most precious of all]. 16  [The judge tells the creditor] Take the garment of one who is security for a stranger; and hold him in pledge when he is security for foreigners.17  Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.18  Purposes and plans are established by counsel; and [only] with good advice make or carry on war.19  He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely. 20  Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in complete darkness.21  An inheritance hastily gotten [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning, in the end it will not be blessed. 22  Do not say, I will repay evil; wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue you. 23  Diverse and deceitful weights are shamefully vile and abhorrent to the Lord, and false scales are not good.24  Man’s steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?25  It is a snare to a man to utter a vow [of consecration] rashly and [not until] afterward inquire [whether he can fulfill it].26  A wise king winnows out the wicked [from among the good] and brings the threshing wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].27  The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. 28  Loving-kindness and mercy, truth and faithfulness, preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by [the people’s] loyalty.29  The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is their gray head [suggesting wisdom and experience].30  Blows that wound cleanse away evil, and strokes [for correction] reach to the innermost parts.

Proverbs 20

Deep Water in the Heart

1 Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome— a staggering drunk is not much fun.
2 Quick-tempered leaders are like mad dogs— cross them and they bite your head off.
3 It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.
4 A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall.
5 Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.
6 Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one?
7 God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.
8-9 Leaders who know their business and care keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap, For who among us can be trusted to be always diligent and honest?
10 Switching price tags and padding the expense account are two things God hates.
11 Young people eventually reveal by their actions if their motives are on the up and up.

Drinking from the Chalice of Knowledge

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— we get our basic equipment from God!
13 Don't be too fond of sleep; you'll end up in the poorhouse. Wake up and get up; then there'll be food on the table.
14 The shopper says, "That's junk—I'll take it off your hands," then goes off boasting of the bargain.
15 Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.
16 Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger; beware of accepting what a transient has pawned.
17 Stolen bread tastes sweet, but soon your mouth is full of gravel.
18 Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get.
19 Gossips can't keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths.
20 Anyone who curses father and mother extinguishes light and exists benighted.

The Very Steps We Take

21 A bonanza at the beginning is no guarantee of blessing at the end.
22 Don't ever say, "I'll get you for that!" Wait for God; he'll settle the score.
23 God hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage.
24 The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
25 An impulsive vow is a trap; later you'll wish you could get out of it.
26 After careful scrutiny, a wise leader makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.
27 God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out.
28 Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.
29 Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age.
30 A good thrashing purges evil; punishment goes deep within us.