Proverbs 20:18–22

18 Plans are established by seeking advice;

so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

19 A gossip betrays a confidence;

so avoid anyone who talks too much.

20 If someone curses their father or mother,

their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

21 An inheritance claimed too soon

will not be blessed at the end.

22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”

Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

18 Plans are established by counsel;

by wise guidance wage war.

19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;

therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

20 If one curses his father or his mother,

his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

21 An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning

will not be blessed in the end.

22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”;

wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

18 Plans succeed through good counsel;

don’t go to war without wise advice.

19 A gossip goes around telling secrets,

so don’t hang around with chatterers.

20 If you insult your father or mother,

your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.

21 An inheritance obtained too early in life

is not a blessing in the end.

22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.”

Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

18 Plans are established by counsel;

By wise counsel wage war.

19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;

Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

20 Whoever curses his father or his mother,

His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.

21 An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning

Will not be blessed at the end.

22 Do not say, “I will recompense evil”;

Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

18 Get advice if you want your plans to work.

If you go to war, get the advice of others.

19 Gossips can’t keep secrets,

so avoid people who talk too much.

20 Those who curse their father or mother

will be like a light going out in darkness.

21 Wealth inherited quickly in the beginning

will do you no good in the end.

22 Don’t say, “I’ll pay you back for the wrong you did.”

Wait for the Lord, and he will make things right.

18 Every purpose is established by counsel;

And by wise guidance make thou war.

19 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets;

Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.

20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother,

His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning;

But the end thereof shall not be blessed.

22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil:

Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.

18 Plans are established by counsel; and with good advice make war.

19 He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth his lips.

20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.

21 An inheritance obtained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed in the end.

22 Say not, I will recompense evil: wait on Jehovah, and he shall save thee.

18 Plans are confirmed by getting advice, 

and with guidance one wages war. 

19 Whoever goes around as a gossip tells secrets. 

Do not associate with a person whose mouth is always open. 

20 The lamp of the person who curses his father and mother 

will be snuffed out in total darkness.

21 An inheritance quickly obtained in the beginning 

will never be blessed in the end. 

22 Do not say, “I’ll get even with you!” 

Wait for the Lord, and he will save you. 

18 Finalize plans with counsel,

and wage war with sound guidance.

19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;

avoid someone with a big mouth.

20 Whoever curses his father or mother —

his lamp will go out in deep darkness.

21 An inheritance gained prematurely

will not be blessed ultimately.

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

Wait on the Lord, and He will rescue you.

18 Plans are established by taking advice;

wage war by following wise guidance.

19 A gossip reveals secrets;

therefore do not associate with a babbler.

20 If you curse father or mother,

your lamp will go out in utter darkness.

21 An estate quickly acquired in the beginning

will not be blessed in the end.

22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”;

wait for the Lord, and he will help you.

18 A plan will be established by advice,

and with guidance make war.

19 He reveals a secret, he who walks about with gossip,

and do not associate with a babbler’s lips.

20 He who curses his father and his mother,

his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.

21 An inheritance acquired hastily at the beginning

will not be blessed at its end.

22 Do not say “I will repay evil”;

wait for Yahweh and he will deliver you.

18 Make plans by asking for guidance.

If you go to war, get good advice.

19 A person who talks about others tells secrets.

So avoid anyone who talks too much.

20 If anyone calls down curses on his father or mother,

his lamp will be blown out in total darkness.

21 Property you gain quickly at the beginning

will not be blessed in the end.

22 Don’t say, “I’ll get even with you for the wrong you did to me!”

Wait for the Lord, and he will save you.

18 Prepare plans by consultation,

And make war by wise guidance.

19 He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,

Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

20 He who curses his father or his mother,

His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning

Will not be blessed in the end.

22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”;

Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.