20:1 Wine leads one to mock, strong drink makes a man brawl, And whoever becomes intoxicated by it does not act wisely. |
20:2 The terror of a king resembles the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. |
20:3 Keeping away from strife seems honorable 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 resembles 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 his sons receive blessings 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 have purified myself from my sin"? |
20:10 Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them the LORD finds abominable . |
20:11 A lad distinguishes himself If he has conducted himself as 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 have plenty of food. |
20:14 "Bad, bad," says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts. |
20:15 One finds gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge have more value. |
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 tastes sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will fill 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 receive blessing in the end. |
20:22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. |
20:23 The LORD considers differing weights an abomination, And He does not consider a false scale good. |
20:24 The LORD ordains man's steps, How then can man understand his way? |
20:25 Man traps himself to say rashly, "I devote this as 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 resembles 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 Young men glory in their strength, And old men find honor in their gray hair. |
20:30 Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts. |