Proverbs 20-22
Revised Geneva Translation
20 Wine is a mocker and strong drink rages. And whoever is deceived by them, is not wise.
2 The fear of the king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger sins against his own soul.
3 It is a man’s honor to cease from strife. But every fool will quarrel.
4 The slothful will not plow, because of winter. Therefore, he shall beg in summer but have nothing.
5 The counsel in the heart of man is like deep waters. But a man who has understanding will draw it out.
6 Many men will boast to every one of his own goodness. But who can find a faithful man?
7 He who walks in his integrity is just; and blessed shall his children be after him.
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment chases away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean. I am clean from my sin”?
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures; both these alike are abomination to the LORD.
11 A child is also known by his doings, whether his word is pure and right.
12 The LORD has made both of these: the ear to hear and the eye to see.
13 Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer. But when he has gone away, he boasts.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of precious stones. But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger; and a pledge from him for a foreigner.
17 The bread of deceit is sweet to a man. But afterward, his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Establish your thoughts by counsel; and by counsel make war.
19 He who goes about as a slanderer, discovers secrets. Therefore, do not associate with him who flatters with his lips.
20 He who curses his father or his mother, his light shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance hastily gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait upon the LORD, and He shall save you.
23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD; and deceitful balances are not good.
24 The steps of man are ruled by the LORD. How, then, can a man understand his own way?
25 It is a snare for a man to rashly declare holiness, and afterward to make inquiry.
26 A wise king scatters the wicked and causes the wheel to turn over them.
27 The light of the LORD is the spirit of man and searches all parts of his core.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king. For his throne shall be established with mercy.
29 The beauty of young men is their strength. And the glory of the aged is the gray head.
30 As bruises scour away evil, so do blows to the core of the body.
21 In the hand of the LORD, the king’s heart is as the rivers of waters. He turns it wherever it pleases him.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes. But the LORD ponders the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look and a proud heart (the light of the wicked) is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent surely bring abundance. But whoever is hasty surely comes to poverty.
6 The gathering of treasures by a deceitful tongue is vanity, tossed to and fro by those who seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them. For they have refused to execute judgment.
8 The way of some is perverted and strange. But the pure man’s work is right.
9 It is better to dwell on a corner of the housetop than to share the house with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked wishes evil, and his neighbor has no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple are made wise. And when one instructs the wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 The righteous teaches the house of the wicked. But God overthrows the wicked for their evil.
13 He who stops his ear at the crying of the poor shall also cry and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the bosom, great wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment. But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders out of the way of wisdom shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the just; and the transgressor for the righteous.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 In the house of the wise is a pleasant treasure and oil, but a foolish man devours it.
21 He who follows after righteousness and mercy shall find life, righteousness and glory.
22 A wise man goes up into the city of the mighty and casts down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue, keeps his soul from afflictions.
24 Proud, haughty, and scornful are his name who works wrath in his arrogance.
25 The desire of the slothful slays him; for his hands refuse to work.
26 He always covets greedily. But the righteous gives and does not spare.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. How much more when he brings it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness shall perish. But he who hears him, speaks continually.
29 A wicked man hardens his face. But as for the just, He will direct his way.
30 There is neither wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle. But salvation is from the LORD.
22 A good name is to be chosen above great riches. And loving favor is above silver and above gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together, the LORD the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man sees the plague and hides himself. But the foolish go on still, and are punished.
4 The reward of humility and the fear of God is riches and glory and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse. But he who guards his soul will depart far from them.
6 Teach a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall not depart from it.
7 The rich rules the poor. And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows iniquity shall reap affliction. And the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 He who has a generous eye shall be blessed, for he gives his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scoffer, and strife shall go out. Indeed, contention and dishonor shall cease.
11 He who loves pureness of heart shall the king befriend, because of the grace of his lips.
12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge. But He overthrows the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful says, “A lion is outside. I shall be killed in the street.”
14 The mouth of strange women is as a deep pit. He with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child. But the rod of correction shall drive it away from him.
16 He who oppresses the poor for his own gain, giving to the rich, shall surely come to poverty.
17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge.
18 For it shall be pleasant if you keep them in your core; and if they are set together on your lips.
19 That your confidence may be in the LORD, I have shown you this day. Yes, you.
20 Have I not written to you before in counsels and knowledge,
21 that I might show you the assurance of the words of truth; and to answer words of truth to those who have sent you?
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor; nor oppress the afflicted in the gate.
23 For the LORD will defend their cause and spoil the soul of those who spoil them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man, nor go with the furious man,
25 lest you learn his ways and receive destruction to your soul.
26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in pledges; nor among those who are surety for debts.
27 If you have nothing to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?
28 You shall not remove the ancient boundaries which your fathers have made.
29 You see that a man who is diligent in his business stands before kings; and does not stand before the lowly.
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