Proverbs 20:21-30

The Message

²¹A bonanza at the beginning
is no guarantee of blessing at the end.

²²Don’t ever say, “I’ll get you for that!”
Wait for God; he’ll settle the score.

²³God hates cheating in the marketplace;
rigged scales are an outrage.

²⁴The very steps we take come from God;
otherwise how would we know where we’re going?

²⁵An impulsive vow is a trap;
later you’ll wish you could get out of it.

²⁶After careful scrutiny, a wise leader
makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.

²⁷God is in charge of human life,
watching and examining us inside and out.

²⁸Love and truth form a good leader;
sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.

²⁹Youth may be admired for vigor,
but gray hair gives prestige to old age.

³⁰A good thrashing purges evil;
punishment goes deep within us.

Proverbs 20:21-30

New International Version

²¹An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.

²²Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”^(A)
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.^(B)

²³The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.^(C)

²⁴A person’s steps are directed^(D) by the Lord.^(E)
How then can anyone understand their own way?^(F)

²⁵It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.^(G)

²⁶A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.^(H)

²⁷The human spirit is^[a] the lamp of the Lord^(I)
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.^(J)

²⁸Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love^(K) his throne is made secure.^(L)

²⁹The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.^(M)

³⁰Blows and wounds scrub^(N) away evil,
and beatings^(O) purge the inmost being.

The Message (MSG)

New International Version (NIV)