Proverbs 20
1Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; 1 whoever is led astray by drink is not wise. 1
2The fear of a king is like the fear of a young lion that is roaring; 1 the one who makes him angry forfeits his life. 1
3It is an honor for anyone to avoid conflict, 1 but every fool jumps into an argument. 1
4The lazy person does not plow in autumn; 1 he seeks a crop at harvest time but will have nothing. 1
5The purpose in a human heart is like deep water, 1 but someone with understanding will draw it out. 1
6Many a person proclaims he is loyal, 1 but who can find one who is faithful? 1
7The righteous person walks in his integrity, 1 and his sons who follow after him will be blessed. 1
8A king who sits on the throne performing the duties of a judge 1 is winnowing with his eyes all the evil that is before him. 1
9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; 1 I am clean from my sin”? 1
10Differing weights and unequal measures— 1 Yahweh hates them both. 1
11Even a youth is known by his actions, 1 by whether his conduct is pure and upright. 1
12Ears that hear and eyes that see— 1 Yahweh made them both. 1
13Do not love sleep or you will come to poverty; 1 open your eyes and you will have plenty to eat. 1
14“Bad! Bad!” says the buyer, 1 but when he goes away he boasts. 1
15There is gold and an abundance of costly stones, 1 but lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 1
16Take a garment of one who has put up security for a stranger, 1 and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an immoral woman. 1
17Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet, 1 but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. 1
18Plans are established by advice 1 and only with wise guidance should you wage war. 1
19A gossip reveals secrets 1 and so you should not associate with people who talk too much. 1
20If a person curses his father or his mother, 1 his lamp will be snuffed out in the middle of darkness. 1
21An inheritance gained quickly at the beginning 1 will do less good in the end. 1
22Do not say, “I will pay you back for this wrong!” 1 Wait for Yahweh and he will rescue you. 1
23Yahweh hates unequal weights 1 and dishonest scales are not good. 1
24A person's steps are directed by Yahweh; 1 how then can he understand his way? 1
25It is a snare for a person to say rashly, “This thing is holy,” 1 and begin to think about what it means only after making his vow. 1
26A wise king winnows the wicked 1 and he turns a threshing wheel over them. 1
27The spirit of a person is the lamp of Yahweh, 1 searching all his inmost parts. 1
28Covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness preserve the king; 1 his throne is made secure by love. 1
29The glory of young men is their strength 1 and the splendor of old people is their gray hair. 1
30Blows that make a wound cleanse away evil 1 and beatings make the innermost parts clean.