Proverbs 20

¹ Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who goes astray for it is wise.

² The dread of the king is as when a lion roars; he who incurs his anger forfeits his life.

³ It is honorable for a man to shun strife, while every fool starts a quarrel.

⁴ In seedtime the sluggard plows not; when he looks for the harvest, it is not there.

⁵ The intention in the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the man of intelligence draws it forth.

⁶ Many are declared to be men of virtue: but who can find one worthy of trust?

⁷ When a man walks in integrity and justice, happy are his children after him!

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 cleansed of my sin"?

¹⁰ Varying weights, varying measures, are both an abomination to the LORD.

¹¹ Even by his manners the child betrays whether his conduct is innocent and right.

¹² The ear that hears, and the eye that sees-- the LORD has made them both.

¹³ Love not sleep, lest you be reduced to poverty; eyes wide open mean abundant food.

¹⁴ "Bad, bad!" says the buyer; but once he has gone his way, he boasts.

¹⁵ Like gold or a wealth of corals, wise lips are a precious ornament.

¹⁶ Take his garment who becomes surety for another, and for strangers yield it up!

¹⁷ The bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

¹⁸ Plans made after advice succeed; so with wise guidance wage your war.

¹⁹ A newsmonger reveals secrets; so have nothing to do with a babbler!

²⁰ If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will go out at the coming of darkness.

²¹ Possessions gained hastily at the outset will in the end not be blessed.

²² Say not, "I will repay evil!" Trust in the LORD and he will help you.

²³ Varying weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.

²⁴ Man's steps are from the LORD; how, then, can a man understand his way?

²⁵ Rashly to pledge a sacred gift is a trap for a man, or to regret a vow once made.

²⁶ A wise king winnows the wicked, and threshes them under the cartwheel.

²⁷ A lamp from the LORD is the breath of man; it searches through all his inmost being.

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 dignity of old men is gray hair.

³⁰ Evil is cleansed away by bloody lashes, and a scourging to the inmost being.