Proverbs 20

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1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise. 2 The king's fury is like a lion's roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life. 3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. 4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest. 5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out. 6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? 7 The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. 8 When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good. 9 Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin"? 10 False weights and unequal measures-- the LORD detests double standards of every kind. 11 Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. 12 Ears to hear and eyes to see-- both are gifts from the LORD. 13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat! 14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, "It's worthless," then brags about getting a bargain! 15 Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies. 16 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger's debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners. 17 Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth. 18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to war without wise advice. 19 A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers. 20 If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness. 21 An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. 22 Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong." Wait for the LORD to handle the matter. 23 The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales. 24 The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? 25 Don't trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. 26 A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them. 27 The LORD's light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. 28 Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love. 29 The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old. 30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies 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 Leaders who know their business and care keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap, 9 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. 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. 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.

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he 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 goodness: but a faithful man who can find? 7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. 8 A king that sitteth in 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 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. 11 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. 13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 14 It is naught, it is naught, 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. 16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. 17 Bread of deceit 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. 19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. 20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure 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; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. 23 Divers weights are an abomination unto 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? 25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. 26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. 27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. 28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. 29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head. 30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 2 The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life. 3 It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. 4 The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during 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 each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? 7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. 8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters 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, They are both alike, an abomination to the LORD. 11 Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right. 12 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 will be satisfied with bread. 14 "It is good for nothing," cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts. 15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16 Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress. 17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. 18 Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war. 19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. 20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness. 21 An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end. 22 Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. 23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, And dishonest scales are not good. 24 A man's steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way? 25 It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. 26 A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them. 27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. 28 Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne. 29 The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head. 30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.

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.

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.

1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2 A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life. 3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. 4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. 5 The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. 6 Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? 7 The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. 8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"? 10 Differing weights and differing measures- the LORD detests them both. 11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. 12 Ears that hear and eyes that see- the LORD has made them both. 13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. 14 "It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. 15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. 16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman. 17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel. 18 Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance. 19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. 20 If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. 21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. 22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. 23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. 24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way? 25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. 26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. 27 The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. 28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. 29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. 30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. 3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. 4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. 5 The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? 7 The righteous who walks in his integrity--blessed are his children after him! 8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, "I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"? 10 Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD. 11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. 12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both. 13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. 14 "Bad, Bad," says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts. 15 There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16 Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners. 17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. 18 Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. 19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. 20 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. 21 An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. 22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. 23 Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good. 24 A man's steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way? 25 It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows. 26 A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them. 27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts. 28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. 29 The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. 30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.