Proverbs 20

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1} Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise.

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2} The king's terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.

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3} It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.

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4} The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.

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5} Counsel in a person's heart is like deep water, but an understanding person draws it out.

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6} Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person -- who can find?

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7} The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him.

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8} A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.

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9} Who can say, "I have kept my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"?

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10} Diverse weights and diverse measures -- the Lord abhors both of them.

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11} Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right.

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12} The ear that hears and the eye that sees -- the Lord has made them both.

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13} Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.

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14} "It's worthless! It's worthless!" says the buyer, but when he goes on his way, he boasts.

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15} There is gold, and an abundance of rubies, but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel.

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16} Take a man's garment when he has given security for a stranger, and when he gives surety for strangers, hold him in pledge.

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17} Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

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18} Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance.

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19} The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth.

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20} The one who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness.

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21} An inheritance gained easily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.

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22} Do not say, "I will pay back evil!" Wait for the Lord, so that he may vindicate you.

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23} The Lord abhors differing weights, and dishonest scales are wicked.

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24} The steps of a person are ordained by the Lord -- so how can anyone understand his own way?

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25} It is a snare for a person to rashly cry, "Holy!" and only afterward to consider what he has vowed.

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26} A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them.

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27} The human spirit is like the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.

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28} Loyal love and truth preserve a king, and his throne is upheld by loyal love.

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29} The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair.

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30} Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil, and floggings cleanse the innermost being.