20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. |
20:2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. |
20:3 Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel. |
20:4 The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing. |
20:5 A plan in the heart of a man is {like} deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out. |
20:6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man? |
20:7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity-- How blessed are his sons after him. |
20:8 A king who sits on the throne of justice Disperses all evil with his eyes. |
20:9 Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?" |
20:10 Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the LORD. |
20:11 It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right. |
20:12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made both of them. |
20:13 Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, {and} you will be satisfied with food. |
20:14 "Bad, bad, says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts." |
20:15 There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing. |
20:16 Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge. |
20:17 Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. |
20:18 Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance. |
20:19 He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip. |
20:20 He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness. |
20:21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. |
20:22 Do not say, "I will repay evil; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you." |
20:23 Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good. |
20:24 Man's steps are {ordained} by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? |
20:25 It is a trap for a man to say rashly, "It is holy! And after the vows to make inquiry." |
20:26 A wise king winnows the wicked, And drives the {threshing} wheel over them. |
20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being. |
20:28 Loyalty and truth preserve the king, And he upholds his throne by righteousness. |
20:29 The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair. |
20:30 Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes {reach} the innermost parts. |