Proverbs 20–21

20Wine is a mocker, ^abeer is a brawler,

and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

²A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;

anyone who provokes him endangers himself. ^b

³It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, ^c

but any fool can get himself into a quarrel. ^d

⁴The slacker does not plow during planting season; ^e

at harvest time he looks, ^fand there is nothing. ^g

⁵Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water; ^h

but a man of understanding draws it out.

⁶Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,

but who can find a trustworthy man? ⁱ

⁷The one who lives with integrity is righteous; ^j

his children ^kwho come after him will be happy. ^l

⁸A king sitting on a throne to judge

sifts out all evil with his eyes. ^m

⁹Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;

I am cleansed from my sin”? ⁿ

¹⁰Differing weights and varying measures ^o—

both are detestable to the Lord. ^p

¹¹Even a young man is known by his actions—

if his behavior is pure and upright. ^q

¹²The hearing ear and the seeing eye—

the Lord made them both. ^r

¹³Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;

open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat. ^s

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

but after he is on his way, he gloats.

¹⁵There is gold and a multitude of jewels,

but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure. ^t

¹⁶Take his garment, ^u

for he has put up security for a stranger;

get collateral if it is for foreigners. ^v

¹⁷Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, ^w

but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

¹⁸Finalize plans with counsel, ^x

and wage war with sound guidance. ^y

¹⁹The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; ^z

avoid someone with a big mouth. ^a

²⁰Whoever curses his father or mother ^b—

his lamp will go out in deep darkness. ^c

²¹An inheritance gained prematurely

will not be blessed ultimately. ^d

²²Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” ^e

Wait on the Lord, ^fand He will rescue you. ^g

²³Differing weights ^hare detestable to the Lord, ⁱ

and dishonest scales ^jare unfair.

²⁴A man’s steps are determined by the Lord, ^k

so how can anyone understand his own way?

²⁵It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly

and later to reconsider his vows. ^l

²⁶A wise king separates out the wicked ^m

and drives the threshing wheel ⁿover them.

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

searching the innermost parts. ^pq

²⁸Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king;

through loyalty he maintains his throne.

²⁹The glory of young men is their strength,

and the splendor of old men is gray hair. ^r

³⁰Lashes and wounds purge away evil, ^s

and beatings cleanse the innermost parts. ^t

21A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand:

He directs it wherever He chooses. ^u

²All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord evaluates the motives. ^vw

³Doing what is righteous and just

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. ^x

⁴The lamp ^ythat guides the wicked—

haughty eyes and an arrogant heart ^z—is sin.

⁵The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,

but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. ^a

⁶Making a fortune through a lying tongue

is a vanishing mist, ^ba pursuit of death. ^cde

⁷The violence of the wicked sweeps them away

because they refuse to act justly.

⁸A guilty man’s conduct is crooked, ^f

but the behavior of the innocent is upright. ^g

⁹Better to live on the corner of a roof

than to share a house with a nagging wife. ^h

¹⁰A wicked person desires evil;

he has no consideration ⁱfor his neighbor. ^j

¹¹When a mocker is punished,

the inexperienced become wiser;

when one teaches a wise man,

he acquires knowledge. ^k

¹²The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;

He brings the wicked to ruin.

¹³The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

will himself also call out and not be answered. ^l

¹⁴A secret gift soothes anger,

and a covert bribe, ^mfierce rage. ⁿ

¹⁵Justice executed is a joy to the righteous

but a terror to those who practice iniquity. ^o

¹⁶The man who strays from the way of wisdom

will come to rest

in the assembly of the departed spirits. ^p

¹⁷The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man;

whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. ^q

¹⁸The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,

and the treacherous, for ^rthe upright. ^s

¹⁹Better to live in a wilderness

than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. ^t

²⁰Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,

but a foolish man consumes them. ^uv

²¹The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love

will find life, righteousness, and honor. ^w

²²A wise person went up against a city of warriors

and brought down its secure fortress. ^x

²³The one who guards his mouth and tongue

keeps himself out of trouble. ^y

²⁴The proud and arrogant person, named “Mocker,”

acts with excessive pride. ^z

²⁵A slacker’s craving will kill him

because his hands refuse to work. ^a

²⁶He is filled with craving ^ball day long,

but the righteous give and don’t hold back. ^c

²⁷The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable—

how much more so

when he brings it with ulterior motives! ^d

²⁸A lying witness will perish, ^e

but the one who listens will speak successfully.

²⁹A wicked man puts on a bold face, ^f

but the upright man considers his way.

³⁰No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel

will prevail against the Lord. ^g

³¹A horse is prepared for the day of battle, ^h

but victory comes from the Lord. ⁱ