Proverbs 20

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.	1 It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be 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 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 an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.	3 Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
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 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 Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.	5 Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.
6 Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?	6 Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7 The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.	7 The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8 The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.	8 The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.
9 Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?	9 Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.	10 Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11 By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.	11 A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.	12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
13 Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.	13 Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14 It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.	14 “It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.	15 There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.	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 lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.	17 The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18 Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.	18 Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19 Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.	19 Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20 He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.	20 Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21 The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.	21 When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22 Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.	22 Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23 Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.	23 Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24 The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?	24 The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?
25 It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.	25 It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.	26 A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.	27 The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.	28 Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.	29 The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30 The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.	30 The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.