Proverbs 19:25-20:7

New King James Version

²⁵ Strike a scoffer, and the simple ^(A)will become wary;
^(B)Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

²⁶ He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
Is ^(C)a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

²⁷ Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸ A ^[a]disreputable witness scorns justice,
And ^(D)the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

²⁹ Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
^(E)And beatings for the backs of fools.

² The ^[b]wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

^3 (G)It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.

^4 (H)The lazy man will not plow because of winter;
^(I)He will beg during harvest and have nothing.

⁵ Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out.

⁶ Most men will proclaim each his own ^[c]goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?

^7 (J)The righteous man walks in his integrity;
^(K)His children are blessed after him.