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Proverbs 20

20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and any who go astray by it are not wise.
2Roaring like the lion is the dreaded anger of a king;
he who provokes him forfeits his life.#Or “soul,” or “inner self”
3It is honorable for the man to refrain from strife,
but every fool will be quick to quarrel.
4The lazy person will not plow in season;
he will expect at the harvest, but there will be nothing.
5Deep waters are like purpose in the heart#Or “mind” of a man,
and a man of understanding will draw it#Or “her”; referring to “purpose” out.
6Many a person will proclaim his loyalty for himself,
but a man who is trustworthy, who can find?
7He who walks in his integrity is righteous;
happy are his children who follow him.
8A king who sits on the throne of judgment
winnows all evil with his eyes.
9Who will say “I have made my heart#Or “mind” clean;
I am pure from my sin”?
10Stone and stone, measure and measure,
both of them#Literally “also the two of them” are an abomination of Yahweh.
11Even by his acts, a young man#Or “young boy,” or “adolescent” will make himself known,
whether his acts are pure and upright.
12The ear that hears and the eye that sees,
Yahweh has made them both.#Literally “also the two of them”
13Do not love sleep, lest you become poor;
open your eyes and have plenty bread.
14“Bad, bad,” the buyer will say,
but when one goes to him, then he will boast.
15There is gold and many costly stones,
but precious jewels are lips of knowledge.
16Take his garment, for he has given security to a stranger,
and on behalf of a foreigner—take it as pledge.
17Bread gained by deceit is sweet for the man,
but afterward, his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18A plan#Hebrew “plans” will be established by advice,
and with guidance make war.
19He reveals a secret, he who walks about with gossip,
and do not associate with a babbler’s lips.
20He who curses his father and his mother,
his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.#Literally “in a pupil of darkness”
21An inheritance acquired hastily at the beginning#Literally “at the first”
will not be blessed at its end.
22Do not say “I will repay evil”;
wait for Yahweh and he will deliver you.
23An abomination of Yahweh is a stone and a weight,#Literally “a stone and a stone”
and scales of falsehood are not good.
24Away from Yahweh are the steps of a strong man,
and how will humankind understand his ways?
25It is a snare to humankind to say rashly “It is holy,”
and after vows, to scrutinize.
26A wise king winnows the wicked,
and he will drive a wheel over them.
27The lamp of Yahweh is the spirit#Or “soul” of humankind,
he who searches every innermost part.#Literally “parts of the inmost”
28Loyalty and faithfulness will preserve a king,
and he is upheld with the righteousness of his throne.
29The glory of young men is their strength,#Or “strengthens them”
but the beauty of the aged is gray hair.
30The blows of a wound will cleanse evil,
as will#Hebrew “and” beatings of the innermost part.#Literally “parts of the inmost”

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Proverbs 20: LEB

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