20:1 Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. It's stupid to get drunk. |
20:2 Fear an angry king as you would a growling lion; making him angry is suicide. |
20:3 Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them. |
20:4 A farmer too lazy to plow his fields at the right time will have nothing to harvest. |
20:5 A person's thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out. |
20:6 Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is! |
20:7 Children are fortunate if they have a father who is honest and does what is right. |
20:8 The king sits in judgment and knows evil when he sees it. |
20:9 Can anyone really say that his conscience is clear, that he has gotten rid of his sin? |
20:10 The LORD hates people who use dishonest weights and measures. |
20:11 Even children show what they are by what they do; you can tell if they are honest and good. |
20:12 The LORD has given us eyes to see with and ears to listen with. |
20:13 If you spend your time sleeping, you will be poor. Keep busy and you will have plenty to eat. |
20:14 The customer always complains that the price is too high, but then he goes off and brags about the bargain he got. |
20:15 If you know what you are talking about, you have something more valuable than gold or jewels. |
20:16 Anyone stupid enough to promise to be responsible for a stranger's debts ought to have their own property held to guarantee payment. |
20:17 What you get by dishonesty you may enjoy like the finest food, but sooner or later it will be like a mouthful of sand. |
20:18 Get good advice and you will succeed; don't go charging into battle without a plan. |
20:19 A gossip can never keep a secret. Stay away from people who talk too much. |
20:20 If you curse your parents, your life will end like a lamp that goes out in the dark. |
20:21 The more easily you get your wealth, the less good it will do you. |
20:22 Don't take it on yourself to repay a wrong. Trust the LORD and he will make it right. |
20:23 The LORD hates people who use dishonest scales and weights. |
20:24 The LORD has determined our path; how then can anyone understand the direction his own life is taking? |
20:25 Think carefully before you promise an offering to God. You might regret it later. |
20:26 A wise king will find out who is doing wrong, and will punish him without pity. |
20:27 The LORD gave us mind and conscience; we cannot hide from ourselves. |
20:28 A king will remain in power as long as his rule is honest, just, and fair. |
20:29 We admire the strength of youth and respect the gray hair of age. |
20:30 Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. |