Proverbs 20

On Life and Conduct

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

3 Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.

4 The sluggard does not plow after the autumn,
So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.

5 A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a trustworthy man?

7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity-
How blessed are his sons after him.

8 A king who sits on the throne of justice
Disperses all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin"?

10 Differing weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

11 It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself
If his conduct is pure and right.

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The LORD has made both of them.

13 Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.

14 "Bad, bad," says the buyer,
But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

15 There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;
But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

16 Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

17 Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18 Prepare plans by consultation,
And make war by wise guidance.

19 He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

20 He who curses his father or his mother,
His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.

22 Do not say, "I will repay evil";
Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

23 Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD,
And a false scale is not good.

24 Man's steps are ordained by the LORD,
How then can man understand his way?

25 It is a trap for a man to say rashly, "It is holy!"
And after the vows to make inquiry.

26 A wise king winnows the wicked,
And drives the threshing wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the innermost parts of his being.

28 Loyalty and truth preserve the king,
And he upholds his throne by righteousness.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
And the honor of old men is their gray hair.

30 Stripes that wound scour away evil,
And strokes reach the innermost parts.

Proverbs 20

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.

2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.

3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.

4 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.

6 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?

7 A righteous man that walketh in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him.

8 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?

10 Diverse weights, and diverse measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

11 Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.

13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

14 It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

15 There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for foreigners.

17 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 by wise guidance make thou war.

19 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.

20 Whoso curseth 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.

22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.

23 Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; And a false balance is not good.

24 A man’s goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?

25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry.

26 A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the threshing -wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts.

28 Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.

29 The glory of young men is their strength; And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

30 Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokes reach the innermost parts.