Proverbs 20

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.	1 Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who goes astray for it is wise.
2 As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, 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 separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.	3 It is honorable for a man to shun strife, while every fool starts a quarrel.
4 Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.	4 In seedtime the sluggard plows not; when he looks for the harvest, it is not there.
5 Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man 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 Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?	6 Many are declared to be men of virtue: but who can find one worthy of trust?
7 The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.	7 When a man walks in integrity and justice, happy are his children after him!
8 The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.	8 A king seated on the throne of judgment dispels all evil with his glance.
9 Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?	9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed of my sin"?
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.	10 Varying weights, varying measures, are both an abomination to the LORD.
11 By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and 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 them both.	12 The ear that hears, and the eye that sees-- the LORD has made them both.
13 Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.	13 Love not sleep, lest you be reduced to poverty; eyes wide open mean abundant food.
14 It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.	14 "Bad, bad!" says the buyer; but once he has gone his way, he boasts.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.	15 Like gold or a wealth of corals, wise lips are a precious ornament.
16 Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.	16 Take his garment who becomes surety for another, and for strangers yield it up!
17 The bread of lying 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 Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.	18 Plans made after advice succeed; so with wise guidance wage your war.
19 Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.	19 A newsmonger reveals secrets; so have nothing to do with a babbler!
20 He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.	20 If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will go out at the coming of darkness.
21 The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.	21 Possessions gained hastily at the outset will in the end not be blessed.
22 Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.	22 Say not, "I will repay evil!" Trust in the LORD and he will help you.
23 Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.	23 Varying weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.
24 The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?	24 Man's steps are from the LORD; how, then, can a man understand his way?
25 It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.	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 over them the wheel.	26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and threshes them under the cartwheel.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.	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 strengthened by clemency.	28 Kindness and piety safeguard the king, and he upholds his throne by justice.
29 The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.	29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the dignity of old men is gray hair.
30 The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.	30 Evil is cleansed away by bloody lashes, and a scourging to the inmost being.