Proverbs 20:14–17

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—

then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,

but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

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

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

17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,

but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

but when he goes away, then he boasts.

15 There is gold and abundance of costly stones,

but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger,

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

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.

14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,”

then brags about getting a bargain!

15 Wise words are more valuable

than much gold and many rubies.

16 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt.

Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

17 Stolen bread tastes sweet,

but it turns to gravel in the mouth.

14 “It is good for nothing,” cries the buyer;

But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies,

But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger,

And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

14 Buyers say, “This is bad. It’s no good.”

Then they go away and brag about what they bought.

15 There is gold and plenty of rubies,

but only a few people speak with knowledge.

16 Take the coat of someone who promises to pay a stranger’s debts,

and keep it until he pays what the stranger owes.

17 Stolen food may taste sweet at first,

but later it will feel like a mouth full of gravel.

14 It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer;

But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

15 There is gold, and abundance of rubies;

But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger;

And hold him in pledge that is surety for foreigners.

17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man;

But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

14 “Bad! Bad!” says the buyer. 

Then, as he goes away, he brags ⸤about his bargain⸥. 

15 There are gold and plenty of jewels, 

but the lips of knowledge are precious gems. 

16 Hold on to the garment of one who guarantees a stranger’s loan, 

and hold responsible the person who makes a loan on behalf of a foreigner. 

17 Food gained dishonestly tastes sweet to a person, 

but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel. 

14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,

but after he is on his way, he gloats.

15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels,

but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

16 Take his garment,

for he has put up security for a stranger;

get collateral if it is for foreigners.

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,

but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

then goes away and boasts.

15 There is gold and abundance of costly stones,

but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger;

seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners.

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet,

but afterward the mouth will be full of gravel.

14 “Bad, bad,” the buyer will say,

but when one goes to him, then he will boast.

15 There is gold and many costly stones,

but precious jewels are lips of knowledge.

16 Take his garment, for he has given security to a stranger,

and on behalf of a foreigner—take it as pledge.

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet for the man,

but afterward, his mouth will be filled with gravel.

14 “It’s no good. It’s no good!” says a buyer.

Then off he goes and brags about what he bought.

15 There is gold. There are plenty of rubies.

But lips that speak knowledge are a priceless jewel.

16 Take the coat of one who puts up money for what a stranger owes.

Hold it until you get paid back if he does it for a woman who commits adultery.

17 Food gained by cheating tastes sweet to a man.

But he will end up with a mouth full of sand.

14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

15 There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;

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 Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,

But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.