Mishlei (Pro) 20

1Wine is a mocker, strong liquor a rowdy;

anyone led astray by it is unwise.

2The dread of a king is like when a lion roars;

he who makes him angry commits a life-threatening sin.

3Avoiding quarrels brings a person honor;

for any fool can explode in anger.

4A lazy person won’t plow in winter;

so at harvest-time, when he looks, there is nothing.

5The heart’s real intentions are like deep water;

but a person with discernment draws them out.

6Most people announce that they show kindness,

but who can find someone faithful [enough to do it]?

7The righteous live a life of integrity;

happy are their children after them.

8The king seated on his judgment throne

can winnow out all evil with his glance.

9Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,

I am cleansed from my sin”?

10False weights and false measures —

Adonai detests them both.

11The character of even a child is known by how he acts,

by whether his deeds are pure and right.

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye —

Adonai made them both.

13If you love sleep, you will become poor;

keep your eyes open, and you’ll have plenty of food.

14“Really bad stuff!” says the buyer [to the seller];

then he goes off and brags [about his bargain].

15A person may have gold and a wealth of pearls,

but lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.

16Seize his clothes, because he guaranteed a stranger’s loan;

take them as security for that unknown woman.

17Food obtained by fraud may taste good,

but later the mouth is full of gravel.

18After consultation, plans succeed;

so take wise advice when waging war.

19A gossip goes around revealing secrets,

so don’t get involved with a talkative person.

20Whoever curses his father or mother —

his lamp will go out in total darkness.

21Possessions acquired quickly at first

will not be blessed in the end.

22Don’t say, “I’ll pay back evil for evil”;

wait for Adonai to save you.

23Adonai detests a double standard in weights,

and false scales are not good.

24A man’s steps are ordered by Adonai,

so how can a person understand his own ways?

25It is a snare to dedicate a gift to God rashly

and reflect on the vows only afterwards.

26A wise king winnows the wicked [from the righteous]

and threshes them under the cartwheel.

27The human spirit is a lamp of Adonai;

it searches one’s inmost being.

28Grace and truth preserve a king;

with grace he upholds his throne.

29The pride of the young is their strength;

the dignity of the old is gray hair.

30Blows that wound purge away evil,

yes, beatings [cleanse] one’s inmost being.

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Mishlei (Pro) 20: CJB

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Proverbs 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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