Proverbs 20

¹Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler;
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
² 
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
³ 
It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight],
But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].
⁴ 
The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives;
So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].
⁵ 
A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well,
But a man of understanding draws it out.
⁶ 
Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness,
But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?
⁷ 
The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs—
How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].
⁸ 
A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment
Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].
⁹ 
Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin?”
¹⁰ 
Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures,
Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord.
¹¹ 
Even a boy is known and distinguished by his acts,
Whether his conduct is pure and right.
¹² 
The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The [omnipotent] Lord has made both of them.
¹³ 
Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread.
¹⁴ 
“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price];
But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].
¹⁵ 
There is gold, and an abundance of pearls,
But the lips of knowledge are a vessel of preciousness [the most precious of all].
¹⁶ 
[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.”
¹⁷ 
Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair].
¹⁸ 
Plans are established by counsel;
So make war [only] with wise guidance.
¹⁹ 
He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters].
²⁰ 
Whoever curses his father or his mother,
His lamp [of life] will be extinguished in time of darkness.
²¹ 
An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.
²² 
Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you.
²³ 
Differing weights are detestable and offensive to the Lord,
And fraudulent scales are not good.
²⁴ 
Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the Lord.
How then can a man [fully] understand his way?
²⁵ 
It is a trap for a man to [^[a]speak a vow of consecration and] say rashly, “It is holy!”
And [not until] afterward consider [whether he can fulfill it].
²⁶ 
A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good]
And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].
²⁷ 
The ^[b]spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being.
²⁸ 
Loyalty and mercy, truth and faithfulness, protect the king,
And he upholds his throne by lovingkindness.
²⁹ 
The glory of young men is their [physical] strength,
And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].
³⁰ 
Blows that wound cleanse away evil,
And strokes reach to the innermost parts.