Proverbs 20

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is unwise.

2The terror of a king is like a lion’s growl. Whoever provokes him endangers his life.

3It is honor for one to resolve a dispute, yet every fool quarrels.

4A slacker will not plow in season, so at harvest he looks but finds nothing.

5The intent of a man’s heart is deep water, but a man of insight draws it out.

Loyalty, Integrity, Justice

6Many a man proclaims his loyalty, but a faithful man who can find?

7A righteous person walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.

8A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.

9Who can say: “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?

10Unequal weights and measures— both are an abomination to Adonai.

11Even a child is known by his actions, whether his conduct is pure and upright.

12Ears that hear and eyes that see— Adonai has made them both.

13Do not love sleep, lest you become poor. Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.

Adonai’s Lamp Searches

14“It’s bad, bad!” says the buyer, but then he goes away and boasts.

15There is gold and abundance of rubies, but lips that speak knowledge are precious.

16Take a man’s garment, who puts up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge, as security for a foreign woman.

17Bread gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is filled with gravel.

18Plans are made by counsel, so wage war with guidance.

19A talebearer goes about, revealing secrets, so do not associate with a babbler.

20Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in utter darkness.

21An estate acquired quickly in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.

22Do not say, “I will pay back evil!” Wait for Adonai, so He may deliver You.

23Unbalanced weights are detestable to Adonai, and dishonest scales are wicked.

24A man’s steps are directed by Adonai. How then can anyone understand his own way?

25It is a trap for one to say rashly, “It is holy!” and only afterward to consider his vows.

26A wise king winnows out the wicked. He turns a threshing wheel over them.

27The spirit of man is the lamp of Adonai, searching all his inmost being.

28Lovingkindness and truth preserve the king, but his throne is upheld by lovingkindness.

29The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair.

30Blows that wound scour away evil, and beatings purge the innermost being.

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Proverbs 20: TLV

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Proverbs 20

1Wine ⌞makes people⌟ mock,

liquor ⌞makes them⌟ noisy,

and everyone under their influence is unwise.

2The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion.

Whoever makes him angry forfeits his life.

3Avoiding a quarrel is honorable.

After all, any stubborn fool can start a fight.

4A lazy person does not plow in the fall.#20:4 Fall was the start of the planting season in Palestine.

He looks for something in the harvest but finds nothing.

5A motive in the human heart is like deep water,

and a person who has understanding draws it out.

6Many people declare themselves loyal,

but who can find someone who is ⌞really⌟ trustworthy?

7A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity.

Blessed are his children after he is gone.

8A king who sits on his throne to judge sifts out every evil with his eyes.

9Who can say,

“I’ve made my heart pure.

I’m cleansed from my sin”?

10A double standard of weights and measures—

both are disgusting to the Lord.

11Even a child makes himself known by his actions,

whether his deeds are pure or right.

12The ear that hears,

the eye that sees—

the Lord made them both.

13Do not love sleep or you will end up poor.

Keep your eyes open, and you will have plenty to eat.

14“Bad! Bad!” says the buyer.

Then, as he goes away, he brags ⌞about his bargain⌟.

15There are gold and plenty of jewels,

but the lips of knowledge are precious gems.

16Hold on to the garment of one who guarantees a stranger’s loan,

and hold responsible the person who makes a loan on behalf of a foreigner.

17Food gained dishonestly tastes sweet to a person,

but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18Plans are confirmed by getting advice,

and with guidance one wages war.

19Whoever goes around as a gossip tells secrets.

Do not associate with a person whose mouth is always open.

20The lamp of the person who curses his father and mother

will be snuffed out in total darkness.#20:20 Or “snuffed out as darkness approaches.”

21An inheritance quickly obtained in the beginning

will never be blessed in the end.

22Do not say, “I’ll get even with you!”

Wait for the Lord, and he will save you.

23A double standard of weights is disgusting to the Lord,

and dishonest scales are no good.

24The Lord is the one who directs a person’s steps.

How then can anyone understand his own way?

25It is a trap for a person to say impulsively, “This is a holy offering!”

and later to have second thoughts about those vows.

26A wise king scatters the wicked

and then runs them over.

27A person’s soul is the Lord’s lamp.

It searches his entire innermost being.

28Mercy and truth protect a king,

and with mercy he maintains his throne.

29While the glory of young men is their strength,

the splendor of older people is their silver hair.

30Brutal beatings cleanse away wickedness.

Such beatings cleanse the innermost being.

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