Proverbs 20

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.footnote a

5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?footnote b

7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.footnote cfootnote d

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

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

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

14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.footnote e

18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.footnote f

20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.footnote g

21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

23Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.footnote h

24Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

27The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.footnote i

28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

30The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.footnote j

Wine Is a Mocker

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler,and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

2The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion;whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.footnote a

3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,but any fool will quarrel.

4The slacker does not plow in season;at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

5The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters,but a man of understanding draws them out.

6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion,but who can find a trustworthy man?

7The righteous man walks with integrity;blessed are his children after him.

8A king who sits on a throne to judgesifts out all evil with his eyes.

9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;I am cleansed from my sin”?

10Differing weights and unequal measuresfootnote b—both are detestable to the LORD.

11Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.

12Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.

13Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor;open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

14“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer,but on the way out, he gloats.

15There is an abundance of gold and rubies,but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

16Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger;get collateral if it is for a foreigner.footnote c

17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,but later his mouth is full of gravel.

18Set plans by consultation,and wage war under sound guidance.

19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;avoid the one who babblesfootnote dwith his lips.

20Whoever curses his father or mother,his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.

21An inheritance gained quicklywill not be blessed in the end.

22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!”Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

23Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD,and dishonest scales are no good.

24A man’s steps are from the LORD,so how can anyone understand his own way?

25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly,only later to reconsider his vows.

26A wise king separates out the wickedand drives the threshing wheel over them.

27The spiritfootnote eof a man is the lamp of the LORD,searching out his inmost being.

28Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king;by these he maintains his throne.

29The glory of young men is their strength,and gray hair is the splendor of the old.

30Lashes and wounds scour evil,and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.