Proverbs 19:24–20:11

24  oThe sluggard buries his hand in pthe dish

and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25  qStrike ra scoffer, and the simple will slearn prudence;

treprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26  He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother

is ua son who brings shame and reproach.

27  Cease to hear instruction, my son,

vand you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28  A worthless witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked wdevours iniquity.

29  Condemnation is ready for rscoffers,

and xbeating for the backs of fools.

20 yWine is a mocker, zstrong drink a brawler,

and whoever ais led astray by it is not wise.1

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

whoever provokes him to anger cforfeits his life.

3  It is an honor for a man to dkeep aloof from strife,

but every fool will be quarreling.

4  eThe sluggard does not plow in the autumn;

fhe will seek at harvest and have nothing.

5  The purpose in a man’s heart is like gdeep water,

but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6  Many a man hproclaims his own steadfast love,

but ia faithful man who can find?

7  The righteous who jwalks in his integrity—

kblessed are his children after him!

8  lA king who sits on the throne of judgment

mwinnows all evil with his eyes.

9  nWho can say, “I have made my heart pure;

I am clean from my sin”?

10  oUnequal2 weights and unequal measures

are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

11  Even a child pmakes himself known by his acts,

by whether his conduct is pure and upright.3