Proverbs 20:13-30

Don’t be too fond of sleep; you’ll end up in the poorhouse. Wake up and get up; then there’ll be food on the table. The shopper says, “That’s junk—I’ll take it off your hands,” then goes off boasting of the bargain. Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems. Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger; beware of accepting what a transient has pawned. Stolen bread tastes sweet, but soon your mouth is full of gravel. Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get. Gossips can’t keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths. Anyone who curses father and mother extinguishes light and exists benighted. A bonanza at the beginning is no guarantee of blessing at the end. Don’t ever say, “I’ll get you for that!” Wait for GOD; he’ll settle the score. GOD hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage. The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we’re going? An impulsive vow is a trap; later you’ll wish you could get out of it. After careful scrutiny, a wise leader makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts. GOD is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out. Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity. Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age. A good thrashing purges evil; punishment goes deep within us.