Proverbs 20

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who goes astray for it is wise.	1 It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.
2 The dread of the king is as when a lion roars; he who incurs his anger forfeits his life.	2 Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.
3 It is honorable for a man to shun strife, while every fool starts a quarrel.	3 Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
4 In seedtime the sluggard plows not; when he looks for the harvest, it is not there.	4 Because of the cold, the lazy one was not willing to plough. Therefore, in the summer, he will beg, and it will not be given to him.
5 The intention in the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the man of intelligence draws it forth.	5 Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.
6 Many are declared to be men of virtue: but who can find one worthy of trust?	6 Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7 When a man walks in integrity and justice, happy are his children after him!	7 The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8 A king seated on the throne of judgment dispels all evil with his glance.	8 The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.
9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed of my sin"?	9 Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”
10 Varying weights, varying measures, are both an abomination to the LORD.	10 Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11 Even by his manners the child betrays whether his conduct is innocent and right.	11 A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.
12 The ear that hears, and the eye that sees-- the LORD has made them both.	12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
13 Love not sleep, lest you be reduced to poverty; eyes wide open mean abundant food.	13 Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14 "Bad, bad!" says the buyer; but once he has gone his way, he boasts.	14 “It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.
15 Like gold or a wealth of corals, wise lips are a precious ornament.	15 There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Take his garment who becomes surety for another, and for strangers yield it up!	16 Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.
17 The bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.	17 The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18 Plans made after advice succeed; so with wise guidance wage your war.	18 Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19 A newsmonger reveals secrets; so have nothing to do with a babbler!	19 Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20 If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will go out at the coming of darkness.	20 Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21 Possessions gained hastily at the outset will in the end not be blessed.	21 When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22 Say not, "I will repay evil!" Trust in the LORD and he will help you.	22 Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23 Varying weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.	23 Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24 Man's steps are from the LORD; how, then, can a man understand his way?	24 The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?
25 Rashly to pledge a sacred gift is a trap for a man, or to regret a vow once made.	25 It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and threshes them under the cartwheel.	26 A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.
27 A lamp from the LORD is the breath of man; it searches through all his inmost being.	27 The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28 Kindness and piety safeguard the king, and he upholds his throne by justice.	28 Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the dignity of old men is gray hair.	29 The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30 Evil is cleansed away by bloody lashes, and a scourging to the inmost being.	30 The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.