Proverbs

The Proverbs, chapter 20, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 20 New English Translation

   1 Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise.
   2 The king's terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.
   3 It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.
   4 The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.
   5 Counsel in a person's heart is like deep water, but an understanding person draws it out.
   6 Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person - who can find?
   7 The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him.
   8 A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.
   9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"?
   10 Diverse weights and diverse measures - the LORD abhors both of them.
   11 Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right.
   12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees - the LORD has made them both.
   13 Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.
   14 "It's worthless! It's worthless!" says the buyer, but when he goes on his way, he boasts.
   15 There is gold, and an abundance of rubies, but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel.
   16 Take a man's garment when he has given security for a stranger, and when he gives surety for strangers, hold him in pledge.
   17 Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
   18 Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance.
   19 The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth.
   20 The one who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness.
   21 An inheritance gained easily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
   22 Do not say, "I will pay back evil!" Wait for the LORD, so that he may vindicate you.
   23 The LORD abhors differing weights, and dishonest scales are wicked.
   24 The steps of a person are ordained by the LORD - so how can anyone understand his own way?
   25 It is a snare for a person to rashly cry, "Holy!" and only afterward to consider what he has vowed.
   26 A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them.
   27 The human spirit is like the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.
   28 Loyal love and truth preserve a king, and his throne is upheld by loyal love.
   29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair.
   30 Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil, and floggings cleanse the innermost being.

King James Version

   1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
   2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
   3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
   4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
   5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
   6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
   7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
   8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
   9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
   10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
   11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
   12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
   13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
   14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
   15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
   16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
   17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
   18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
   19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
   20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
   21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
   22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
   23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
   24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
   25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
   26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
   27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
   28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
   29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
   30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.