Proverbs 20

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