Proverbs 20

1Wine scoffs, strong drink rages; whoever goes astray by it is not wise.

2A king's terror is like a lion's roar; whoever provokes him sins against his own life.

3Honor belongs to a man who avoids strife, but every fool quarrels.

4The sluggard does not plow because of the cold; he begs at harvest and has nothing.

5Counsel deep as waters lies in a man's heart, but a man of understanding draws it out.

6Many men proclaim themselves men of kindness, but who can find a faithful man?

7A righteous man walks in his integrity, and his children after him are blessed.

8A king seated on the throne of judgment disperses all evil with his eyes.

9Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart, I have purified myself from my sin"?

10Differing weights and differing measures—both alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

11Even a child's deeds reveal him, whether his work is pure and upright.

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye—Yahweh has made even both of them.

13Do not love sleep, lest you become poor. Open your eyes, and you will have your fill of bread.

14"Bad, bad," says the buyer; but when he goes off with it, then he boasts.

15There is gold and a great many rubies, but lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.

16Take his garment because he pledged for a stranger, and take his pledge for foreigners and a foreign woman.

17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth is filled with gravel.

18Plans are established by counsel; make war with wise guidance.

19Whoever goes about as a talebearer betrays secrets; do not associate with one who entices with his lips.

20Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in blackest darkness.

21An inheritance hastily and speedily acquired at the beginning will not be blessed in the end.

22Do not say, "I will repay evil." Hope in Yahweh, and he will save you.

23Differing weights are an abomination to Yahweh, and deceitful scales are not good.

24A man's steps are from Yahweh; how does a man understand his path?

25A snare to a man is devouring the consecrated, and inquiring after vows.

26A wise king scatters the wicked and turns the wheel over them.

27The breath of man is Yahweh's lamp, searching all the inner chambers of the belly.

28Kindness and faithfulness guard the king, and kindness upholds his throne.

29Young men's strength is their glory; old men's gray hair is their splendor.

30Bruises from a wound scour evil clean, and blows purge the inmost parts of the belly.