Proverbs 20
20
1Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
those who anger him forfeit their lives.
3It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4Sluggards do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
5The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
6Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?
7The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.
8When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?
10Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.
11Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure and upright?
12Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.
13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,
but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
18Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20If someone curses their father or mother,
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
22Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
23The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
24A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand their own way?
25It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.
26A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The human spirit is#20:27 Or A person’s words are the lamp of the Lord
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
28Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.
29The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.
30Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Proverbs 20
20
1Wine #Gen. 9:21; Prov. 23:29–35; Is. 28:7; Hos. 4:11is a mocker,
Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
2The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.
3#Prov. 17:14It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.
4#Prov. 10:4The lazy man will not plow because of winter;
#Prov. 19:15He will beg during harvest and have nothing.
5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?
7#2 Cor. 1:12The righteous man walks in his integrity;
#Ps. 37:26His children are blessed after him.
8A king who sits on the throne of judgment
Scatters all evil with his eyes.
9#(1 Kin. 8:46; 2 Chr. 6:36); Job 9:30, 31; 14:4; (Ps. 51:5; Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:9; 1 John 1:8)Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,
I am pure from my sin”?
10#Deut. 25:13Diverse weights and diverse measures,
They are both alike, an abomination to the Lord.
11Even a child is #Matt. 7:16known by his deeds,
Whether what he does is pure and right.
12#Ex. 4:11; Ps. 94:9The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The Lord has made them both.
13#Rom. 12:11Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.
14“It is good for nothing,” cries the buyer;
But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.
15There is gold and a multitude of rubies,
But #(Job 28:12–19; Prov. 3:13–15)the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16#Prov. 22:26Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger,
And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.
17#Prov. 9:17Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18#Prov. 24:6Plans are established by counsel;
#Luke 14:31By wise counsel wage war.
19#Prov. 11:13He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with one #Rom. 16:18who flatters with his lips.
20#Ex. 21:17; Lev. 20:9; Prov. 30:11; Matt. 15:4Whoever curses his father or his mother,
#Job 18:5, 6; Prov. 24:20His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
21#Prov. 28:20An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning
#Hab. 2:6Will not be blessed at the end.
22#(Deut. 32:35); Prov. 17:13; 24:29; (Rom. 12:17–19); 1 Thess. 5:15; (1 Pet. 3:9)Do not say, “I will recompense evil”;
#2 Sam. 16:12Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.
23Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord,
And dishonest scales are not good.
24A man’s steps are of the Lord;
How then can a man understand his own way?
25It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy,
And afterward to reconsider his vows.
26#Ps. 101:8A wise king sifts out the wicked,
And brings the threshing wheel over them.
27#1 Cor. 2:11The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
28#Ps. 101:1; Prov. 21:21Mercy and truth preserve the king,
And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.
29The glory of young men is their strength,
And #Prov. 16:31the splendor of old men is their gray head.
30Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
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