Proverbs 20  Common English Bible

20 Wine is a mocker; beer a carouser.
    Those it leads astray won’t become wise.
² A king is as terrifying as a lion’s growl.
    Those who anger him may lose their life.
³ It is honorable to back off from a fight,
    but fools jump right in.
⁴ The lazy don’t plow during winter;
    at harvest they look but find nothing.
⁵ Advice comes from the deep waters of the heart;
    those with understanding can draw it out.
⁶ Many people will say that they are loyal,
    but who can find a reliable person?
⁷ The righteous live with integrity;
    happy are their children who come after them.
⁸ A king who sits on his judgment throne
    sifts out all evil with his eyes.
⁹ Who can say, “I’m innocent to the core;
    I’m cleansed from my sin”?
¹⁰ False weights and measures—
    the Lord detests them both.
¹¹ Even young people are known by their actions,
    whether their conduct is pure and upright.
¹² Ears to hear and eyes to see—
    the Lord made them both.
¹³ Don’t love sleep or you will be poor;
    stay alert and you will have plenty to eat.
¹⁴ The buyer says, “Bad, bad,”
    but then goes away and brags.
¹⁵ Much gold and many pearls exist,
    but wise speech is the most precious jewel.
¹⁶ Take the garment of the person who secures a loan for a stranger;
    take his pledge for a foreigner.
¹⁷ Stolen bread is sweet,
    but afterward the mouth is full of gravel.
¹⁸ Plans are firmed up by advice;
    wage wars with good guidance.
¹⁹ Gossips reveal secrets;
    don’t associate with those who talk too much.
²⁰ Those who curse their father or mother—
    their lamp will be snuffed out when it becomes dark.
²¹ Inheritance gained quickly at first
    won’t bless later on.
²² Don’t say, “I’ll repay the evildoer!”
    Wait for the Lord, and he will save you.
²³ The Lord detests false weights;
    deceptive scales aren’t right.
²⁴ A person’s steps are from the Lord;
    how then can people understand their path?
²⁵ It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
    and only reflect after making the promise.
²⁶ A wise king sifts out the wicked,
    and runs them over with a wheel.
²⁷ The breath of a person is the lamp of the Lord,
    searching all the inmost parts.
²⁸ Kindness and faithfulness protect the king;
    he supports his throne by kindness.
²⁹ Strength is the glory of young men;
    gray hair is the splendor of old age.
³⁰ Blows and bruises remove evil;
    beatings cleanse the inner parts.