Chapter 20

On Life and Conduct

1 aWine is a mocker, bstrong drink a brawler,

And whoever 1is intoxicated by it is not wise.

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

He who provokes him to anger 1aforfeits his own life.

3 1aKeeping away from strife is an honor for a man,

But any fool will 2quarrel.

4 The asluggard does not plow after the autumn,

So he 1begs during the harvest and has nothing.

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

But a man of understanding draws it out.

6 Many a man aproclaims his own loyalty,

But who can find a btrustworthy man?

7 A righteous man who awalks in his integrity—

bHow blessed are his sons after him.

8 aA king who sits on the throne of justice

1Disperses all evil with his eyes.

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

I am pure from my sin”?

10 1aDiffering weights and differing measures,

Both of them are abominable to the Lord.

11 It is by his deeds that a lad 1adistinguishes himself

If his conduct is pure and right.

12 The hearing aear and the seeing eye,

The Lord has made both of them.

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

Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with 1food.

14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

15 There is gold, and an abundance of 1jewels;

But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

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

And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

17 aBread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,

But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18 Prepare aplans by consultation,

And bmake war by wise guidance.

19 He who agoes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,

Therefore do not associate with 1ba gossip.

20 He who acurses his father or his mother,

His blamp will go out in 1time of darkness.

21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning

Will not be blessed in the end.

22 aDo not say, “I will repay evil”;

bWait for the Lord, and He will save you.

23 1aDiffering weights are an abomination to the Lord,

And a 2bfalse scale is not good.

24 aMan’s steps are ordained by the Lord,

How then can man understand his way?

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

And aafter the vows to make inquiry.

26 A awise king winnows the wicked,

And 1drives the bthreshing wheel over them.

27 The 1aspirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,

Searching all the 2innermost parts of his being.

28 1Loyalty and atruth preserve the king,

And he upholds his throne by 1righteousness.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,

And the 1ahonor of old men is their gray hair.

30 aStripes that wound scour away evil,

And strokes reach the 1innermost parts.