Proverbs 20

On Life and Conduct

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

2The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;

He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

3Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,

But any fool will quarrel.

4The sluggard does not plow after the autumn,

So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.

5A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,

But a man of understanding draws it out.

6Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,

But who can find a trustworthy man?

7A righteous man who walks in his integrity—

How blessed are his sons after him.

8A king who sits on the throne of justice

Disperses all evil with his eyes.

9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,

I am pure from my sin”?

10Differing weights and differing measures,

Both of them are abominable to the Lord.

11It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself

If his conduct is pure and right.

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye,

The Lord has made both of them.

13Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;

Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.

14“Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

15There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;

But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

16Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;

And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

17Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,

But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18Prepare plans by consultation,

And make war by wise guidance.

19He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,

Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

20He who curses his father or his mother,

His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

21An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning

Will not be blessed in the end.

22Do not say, “I will repay evil”;

Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

23Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord,

And a false scale is not good.

24Man's steps are ordained by the Lord,

How then can man understand his way?

25It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!”

And after the vows to make inquiry.

26A wise king winnows the wicked,

And drives the threshing wheel over them.

27The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,

Searching all the innermost parts of his being.

28Loyalty and truth preserve the king,

And he upholds his throne by righteousness.

29The glory of young men is their strength,

And the honor of old men is their gray hair.

30Stripes that wound scour away evil,

And strokes reach the innermost parts.