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.