Proverbs 20

¹Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;

whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

²A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;

those who anger him forfeit their lives.

³It is to one’s honour to avoid strife,

but every fool is quick to quarrel.

⁴Sluggards do not plough in season;

so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

⁵The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,

but one who has insight draws them out.

⁶Many claim to have unfailing love,

but a faithful person who can find?

⁷The righteous lead blameless lives;

blessed are their children after them.

⁸When a king sits on his throne to judge,

he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

⁹Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure;

I am clean and without sin’?

¹⁰Differing weights and differing measures –

the Lord detests them both.

¹¹Even small children are known by their actions,

so is their conduct really pure and upright?

¹²Ears that hear and eyes that see –

the Lord has made them both.

¹³Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;

stay awake and you will have food to spare.

¹⁴‘It’s no good, it’s no good!’ says the buyer –

then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

¹⁵Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,

but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

¹⁶Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;

hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

¹⁷Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,

but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

¹⁸Plans are established by seeking advice;

so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

¹⁹A gossip betrays a confidence;

so avoid anyone who talks too much.

²⁰If someone curses their father or mother,

their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

²¹An inheritance claimed too soon

will not be blessed at the end.

²²Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’

Wait for the Lord , and he will avenge you.

²³The Lord detests differing weights,

and dishonest scales do not please him.

²⁴A person’s steps are directed by the Lord .

How then can anyone understand their own way?

²⁵It is a trap to dedicate something rashly

and only later to consider one’s vows.

²⁶A wise king winnows out the wicked;

he drives the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord[#20:27 Or A person’s words are]

that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

²⁸Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;

through love his throne is made secure.

²⁹The glory of young men is their strength,

grey hair the splendour of the old.

³⁰Blows and wounds scrub away evil,

and beatings purge the inmost being.