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.
Proverbs 20
Words of wisdom are better than gold
1 It isn't clever to get drunk!
Drinking makes a fool of you
and leads to fights.
2 An angry ruler
is like a roaring lion—
make either one angry,
and you are dead.
3 It makes you look good
when you avoid a fight—
only fools love to quarrel.
4 If you are too lazy to plough,
don't expect a harvest.
5 Someone's thoughts may be
as deep as the ocean,
but if you are clever,
you will discover them.
6 There are many who say,
“You can trust me!”
But can they be trusted?
7 Good people live right,
and God blesses the children
who follow their example.
8 When rulers decide cases,
they weigh the evidence.
9 Can any of us really say,
“My thoughts are pure,
and my sins are gone”?
10 Two things the Lord hates
are dishonest scales
and dishonest measures.
11 The good or bad
that children do
shows what they are like.
12 Hearing and seeing
are gifts from the Lord.
13 If you sleep all the time,
you will starve;
if you get up and work,
you will have enough food.
14 Everyone likes to boast
about getting a bargain.
15 Sensible words are better
than gold or jewels.
16 You deserve to lose your coat
if you loan it to someone
to guarantee payment
for the debt of a stranger.
17 The food you get by cheating
may taste delicious,
but it turns to gravel.
18 Be sure you have sound advice
before making plans
or starting a war.
19 Stay away from gossips—
they tell everything.
20 Children who curse their parents
will go to the land of darkness
long before their time.
21 Getting rich quickt
may turn out to be a curse.
22 Don't try to get even.
Trust the Lord,
and he will help you.
23 The Lord hates dishonest scales
and dishonest weights.
So don't cheat!
24 How can we know
what will happen to us
when the Lord alone decides?
25 Don't fall into the trap
of making promises to God
before you think!
26 A wise ruler severely punishes
every criminal.
27 Our inner thoughts are a lamp
from the Lord,
and they search our hearts.
28 Rulers are protected
by God's mercy and loyalty,
butt they must be merciful
for their kingdoms to last.
29 Young people take pride
in their strength,
but the grey hairs of wisdom
are even more beautiful.
30 A severe beating can knock all
of the evil out of you!