Proverbs 20
20
1 It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.
2 Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.
3 Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
4 Because of the cold, the lazy one was not willing to plough. Therefore, in the summer, he will beg, and it will not be given to him.
5 Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.
6 Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7 The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8 The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.
9 Who is able to say: "My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?"
10 Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11 A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
13 Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14 "It is bad, it is bad," says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.
15 There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.
17 The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18 Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19 Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20 Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21 When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22 Do not say, "I will repay evil." Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23 Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24 The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?
25 It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26 A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.
27 The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28 Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30 The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.
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Proverbs 20
20
Words of wisdom are better than gold
1It isn't clever to get drunk!
Drinking makes a fool of you
and leads to fights.
2An angry ruler
is like a roaring lion—
make either one angry,
and you are dead.
3It makes you look good
when you avoid a fight—
only fools love to quarrel.
4If you are too lazy to plough,
don't expect a harvest.
5Someone's thoughts may be
as deep as the ocean,
but if you are clever,
you will discover them.
6There are many who say,
“You can trust me!”
But can they be trusted?
7Good people live right,
and God blesses the children
who follow their example.
8When rulers decide cases,
they weigh the evidence.
9Can any of us really say,
“My thoughts are pure,
and my sins are gone”?
10Two things the LORD hates
are dishonest scales
and dishonest measures.
11The good or bad
that children do
shows what they are like.
12Hearing and seeing
are gifts from the LORD.
13If you sleep all the time,
you will starve;
if you get up and work,
you will have enough food.
14Everyone likes to boast
about getting a bargain.
15Sensible words are better
than gold or jewels.
16You deserve to lose your coat
if you loan it to someone
to guarantee payment
for the debt of a stranger.
17The food you get by cheating
may taste delicious,
but it turns to gravel.
18Be sure you have sound advice
before making plans
or starting a war.
19Stay away from gossips—
they tell everything.
20Children who curse their parents
will go to the land of darkness
long before their time.
21Getting rich quick#20.21 quick: Or “the wrong way”.
may turn out to be a curse.
22Don't try to get even.
Trust the LORD,
and he will help you.
23The LORD hates dishonest scales
and dishonest weights.
So don't cheat!
24How can we know
what will happen to us
when the LORD alone decides?
25Don't fall into the trap
of making promises to God
before you think!
26A wise ruler severely punishes
every criminal.
27Our inner thoughts are a lamp
from the LORD,
and they search our hearts.
28Rulers are protected
by God's mercy and loyalty,
but#20.28 by God's mercy…but: Or “by their mercy…and”. they must be merciful
for their kingdoms to last.
29Young people take pride
in their strength,
but the grey hairs of wisdom
are even more beautiful.
30A severe beating can knock all
of the evil out of you!
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© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012