Proverbs 20:25–27

25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly

and only later to consider one’s vows.

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;

he drives the threshing wheel over them.

27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord

that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy,

And after vows to make inquiry.

26 A wise king scattereth the wicked,

And bringeth the wheel over them.

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

Searching all the inward parts of the belly.

25 Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God

and only later counting the cost.

26 A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat,

then runs his threshing wheel over them.

27 The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit,

exposing every hidden motive.

25 It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy,

And afterward to reconsider his vows.

26 A wise king sifts out the wicked,

And brings the threshing wheel over them.

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

Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

25 It’s dangerous to promise something to God too quickly.

After you’ve thought about it, it may be too late.

26 A wise king sorts out the evil people,

and he punishes them as they deserve.

27 The Lord looks deep inside people

and searches through their thoughts.

25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy,

And after vows to make inquiry.

26 A wise king winnoweth the wicked,

And bringeth the threshing-wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah,

Searching all his innermost parts.

25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is hallowed, and after vows to make inquiry.

26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

27 Man’s spirit is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inner parts of the belly.

25 It is a trap for a person to say impulsively, “This is a holy offering!” 

and later to have second thoughts about those vows. 

26 A wise king scatters the wicked 

and then runs them over. 

27 A person’s soul is the Lord’s lamp. 

It searches his entire innermost being. 

25 It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly

and later to reconsider his vows.

26 A wise king separates out the wicked

and drives the threshing wheel over them.

27 The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,

searching the innermost parts.

25 It is a snare for one to say rashly, “It is holy,”

and begin to reflect only after making a vow.

26 A wise king winnows the wicked

and drives the wheel over them.

27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord,

searching every inmost part.

25 It is a snare to humankind to say rashly “It is holy,”

and after vows, to scrutinize.

26 A wise king winnows the wicked,

and he will drive a wheel over them.

27 The lamp of Yahweh is the spirit of humankind,

he who searches every innermost part.

25 A man is trapped if he makes a hasty promise to God

and only later thinks about what he said.

26 A wise king gets rid of evil people.

He runs the threshing wheel over them.

27 The lamp of the Lord searches a man’s heart.

It searches deep down inside him.

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

And after the vows to make inquiry.

26 A wise king winnows the wicked,

And drives the threshing wheel over them.

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

Searching all the innermost parts of his being.