Proverbs 19:27–20:2

27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.

1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;

whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;

those who anger him forfeit their lives.

27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers,

and beating for the backs of fools.

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

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

whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my child,

you will turn your back on knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice;

the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

29 Punishment is made for mockers,

and the backs of fools are made to be beaten.

1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls.

Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.

2 The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar;

to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,

And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A disreputable witness scorns justice,

And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,

And beatings for the backs of fools.

1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler,

And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

2 The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;

Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

27 Don’t stop listening to correction, my child,

or you will forget what you have already learned.

28 An evil witness makes fun of fairness,

and wicked people love what is evil.

29 People who make fun of wisdom will be punished,

and the backs of foolish people will be beaten.

1 Wine and beer make people loud and uncontrolled;

it is not wise to get drunk on them.

2 An angry king is like a roaring lion.

Making him angry may cost you your life.

27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction

Only to err from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocketh at justice;

And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,

And stripes for the back of fools.

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler;

And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.

2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion:

He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.

1 Wine is a scorner, strong drink is raging; and whoso erreth thereby is not wise.

2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, 

you will stray from the words of knowledge. 

28 A worthless witness mocks justice, 

and the mouths of wicked people swallow up trouble. 

29 Punishments are set for mockers 

and beatings for the backs of fools. 

1 Wine ⸤makes people⸥ mock, 

liquor ⸤makes them⸥ noisy, 

and everyone under their influence is unwise. 

2 The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion. 

Whoever makes him angry forfeits his life. 

27 If you stop listening to correction, my son,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks justice,

and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.

1 Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler,

and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

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

anyone who provokes him endangers himself.

27 My child, stop ignoring instruction,

straying from words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Punishments are prepared for scoffers

and flogging for the backs of fools.

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

2 The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;

anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.

27 Cease to listen to instruction, my child,

and you will stray from sayings of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness will mock justice,

and the mouth of the wicked will devour iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for the scoffers,

and flogging for the back of fools.

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

and any who go astray by it are not wise.

2 Roaring like the lion is the dreaded anger of a king;

he who provokes him forfeits his life.

27 My son, if you stop listening to what I teach you,

you will wander away from the words of knowledge.

28 A dishonest witness makes fun of what is right.

The mouths of those who do wrong gulp down evil.

29 Those who make fun of others will be judged.

Foolish people will be punished.

1 Wine causes you to make fun of others, and beer causes you to start fights.

Anyone who is led down the wrong path by them is not wise.

2 A king’s anger is like a lion’s roar.

Anyone who makes him angry may lose his life.

27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline,

And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice,

And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,

And blows for the back of fools.

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

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

He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.