Proverbs 19:26-Proverbs 20:30 - Foolproof Instructions

²⁶ The one who assaults his father and evicts his mother
is a disgraceful and shameful son.

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.

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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.

³ It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.

⁴ The slacker does not plow during planting season;
at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.

⁵ Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water;
but a man of understanding draws it out.

⁶ Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy man?

⁷ The one who lives with integrity is righteous;
his children who come after him will be happy.

⁸ A king sitting on a throne to judge
sifts out all evil with his eyes.

⁹ Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”?

¹⁰ Differing weights and varying measures—
both are detestable to the Lord.

¹¹ Even a young man is known by his actions—
if his behavior is pure and upright.

¹² The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
the Lord made them both.

¹³ Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.

¹⁴ “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.

¹⁵ There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

¹⁶ Take his garment,
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

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.

²³ Differing weights are detestable to the Lord,
and dishonest scales are unfair.

²⁴ A man’s steps are determined by the Lord,
so how can anyone understand his own way?

²⁵ It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly
and later to reconsider his vows.

²⁶ A wise king separates out the wicked
and drives the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷ The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,
searching the innermost parts.

²⁸ Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.

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

³⁰ Lashes and wounds purge away evil,
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.

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