Proverbs 20

20Wine^k is a mocker^l and beer a brawler;

whoever is led astray^m by them is not wise.ⁿ

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

those who anger him forfeit their lives.^p

³It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,

but every fool^q is quick to quarrel.^r

⁴Sluggards^s do not plow in season;

so at harvest time they look but find nothing.^t

⁵The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,^u

but one who has insight draws them out.

⁶Many claim to have unfailing love,

but a faithful person who can find?^v

⁷The righteous lead blameless lives;^w

blessed are their children after them.^x

⁸When a king sits on his throne to judge,^y

he winnows out all evil with his eyes.^z

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

I am clean and without sin”?^b

¹⁰Differing weights and differing measures—

the Lord detests them both.^c

¹¹Even small children are known by their actions,

so is their conduct really pure^d and upright?

¹²Ears that hear and eyes that see—

the Lord has made them both.^e

¹³Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;^f

stay awake and you will have food to spare.

¹⁴“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—

then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

¹⁵Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,

but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

¹⁶Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;

hold it in pledge^g if it is done for an outsider.^h

¹⁷Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,ⁱ

but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.^j

¹⁸Plans are established by seeking advice;

so if you wage war, obtain guidance.^k

¹⁹A gossip betrays a confidence;^l

so avoid anyone who talks too much.

²⁰If someone curses their father or mother,^m

their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.ⁿ

²¹An inheritance claimed too soon

will not be blessed at the end.

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

Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.^p

²³The Lord detests differing weights,

and dishonest scales do not please him.^q

²⁴A person’s steps are directed^r by the Lord.^s

How then can anyone understand their own way?^t

²⁵It is a trap to dedicate something rashly

and only later to consider one’s vows.^u

²⁶A wise king winnows out the wicked;

he drives the threshing wheel over them.^v

²⁷The human spirit is^a the lamp of the Lord^w

that sheds light on one’s inmost being.^x

²⁸Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;

through love^y his throne is made secure.^z

²⁹The glory of young men is their strength,

gray hair the splendor of the old.^a

³⁰Blows and wounds scrub^b away evil,

and beatings^c purge the inmost being.