Proverbs 20

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.	1 Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who goes astray for it is wise.
2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.	2 The dread of the king is as when a lion roars; he who incurs his anger forfeits his life.
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.	3 It is honorable for a man to shun strife, while every fool starts a quarrel.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.	4 In seedtime the sluggard plows not; when he looks for the harvest, it is not there.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.	5 The intention in the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the man of intelligence draws it forth.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?	6 Many are declared to be men of virtue: but who can find one worthy of trust?
7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.	7 When a man walks in integrity and justice, happy are his children after him!
8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.	8 A king seated on the throne of judgment dispels all evil with his glance.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?	9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed of my sin"?
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.	10 Varying weights, varying measures, are both an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.	11 Even by his manners the child betrays whether his conduct is innocent and right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.	12 The ear that hears, and the eye that sees-- the LORD has made them both.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.	13 Love not sleep, lest you be reduced to poverty; eyes wide open mean abundant food.
14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.	14 "Bad, bad!" says the buyer; but once he has gone his way, he boasts.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.	15 Like gold or a wealth of corals, wise lips are a precious ornament.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.	16 Take his garment who becomes surety for another, and for strangers yield it up!
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.	17 The bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.	18 Plans made after advice succeed; so with wise guidance wage your war.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.	19 A newsmonger reveals secrets; so have nothing to do with a babbler!
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.	20 If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will go out at the coming of darkness.
21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.	21 Possessions gained hastily at the outset will in the end not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.	22 Say not, "I will repay evil!" Trust in the LORD and he will help you.
23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.	23 Varying weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.
24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?	24 Man's steps are from the LORD; how, then, can a man understand his way?
25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.	25 Rashly to pledge a sacred gift is a trap for a man, or to regret a vow once made.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.	26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and threshes them under the cartwheel.
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.	27 A lamp from the LORD is the breath of man; it searches through all his inmost being.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.	28 Kindness and piety safeguard the king, and he upholds his throne by justice.
29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.	29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the dignity of old men is gray hair.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.	30 Evil is cleansed away by bloody lashes, and a scourging to the inmost being.