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

²⁶ He who does violence to a father, he who chases away a mother, [is] a child who causes shame and brings reproach.

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.

³ [It is] honorable for the man to refrain from strife, but every fool will be quick to quarrel.

⁴ The lazy person will not plow in season; he will expect at the harvest, but there [will be] nothing.

⁵ Deep waters [are like] purpose in the heart of a man, and a man of understanding will draw it out.

⁶ Many a person will proclaim his loyalty [for] himself, but a man [who is] trustworthy, who can find?

⁷ He who walks in his integrity [is] righteous; happy are his children who follow him.

⁸ A king who sits on [the] throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.

⁹ Who will say "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"?

¹⁰ Stone and stone, measure and measure, {both of them} [are] an abomination of Yahweh.

¹¹ Even by his acts, a {young man} will make himself known, whether his acts are pure and upright.

¹² The ear that hears and the eye that sees, Yahweh has made {them both}.

¹³ Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; open your eyes [and] have plenty bread.

¹⁴ "Bad, bad," the buyer will say, but [when] one goes to him, then he will boast.

¹⁵ There is gold and many costly stones, but precious jewels are lips of knowledge.

¹⁶ Take his garment, for he has given security [to] a stranger, and on behalf of a foreigner--take it as pledge.

¹⁷ Bread gained by deceit is sweet for the man, but afterward, his mouth will be filled [with] gravel.

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.

²³ An abomination of Yahweh [is] {a stone and a weight}, and scales of falsehood are not good.

²⁴ [Away] from Yahweh are the steps of a strong man, and how will humankind understand his ways?

²⁵ [It is] a snare to humankind to say rashly "[It is] holy," and after vows, to scrutinize.

²⁶ A wise king winnows the wicked, and he will drive a wheel over them.

²⁷ The lamp of Yahweh [is] the spirit of humankind, he who searches every {innermost part}.

²⁸ Loyalty and faithfulness will preserve a king, and he is upheld with the righteousness of his throne.

²⁹ The glory of young men [is] their strength, but the beauty of the aged [is] gray hair.

³⁰ The blows of a wound will cleanse evil, as will beatings of the {innermost part}.