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Proverbs 20
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 20
Holman Christian Standard Bible
20 Wine is a mocker,(A) beer is a brawler,
and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.
2 A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.(B)
4 The slacker does not plow during planting season;[a]
at harvest time he looks,[b] and there is nothing.(E)
5 Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water;(F)
but a man of understanding draws it out.
6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy man?(G)
7 The one who lives with integrity is righteous;(H)
his children[c] who come after him will be happy.(I)
8 A king sitting on a throne to judge
sifts out all evil with his eyes.(J)
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”?(K)
11 Even a young man is known by his actions—
if his behavior is pure and upright.(M)
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
the Lord made them both.(N)
13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.(O)
14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.
15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.(P)
16 Take his garment,[e]
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.(Q)
17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,(R)
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.
21 An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.(Y)
24 A man’s steps are determined by the Lord,(AE)
so how can anyone understand his own way?
25 It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly
and later to reconsider his vows.(AF)
28 Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
and the splendor of old men is gray hair.(AJ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:4 Lit plow in winter
- Proverbs 20:4 Lit inquires
- Proverbs 20:7 Lit sons
- Proverbs 20:10 Lit Stone and stone, measure and measure
- Proverbs 20:16 A debtor’s outer garment was held as collateral.
- Proverbs 20:23 Lit A stone and a stone
- Proverbs 20:27 Lit breath
- Proverbs 20:27 Lit the chambers of the belly
- Proverbs 20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly
Proverbs 20
Common English Bible
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.
Proverbs 20
New International Version
Proverbs 20
New International Version
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(E)
those who anger him forfeit their lives.(F)
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(K)
but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?(L)
10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.(S)
11 Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure(T) and upright?
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.(U)
13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;(V)
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge(W) if it is done for an outsider.(X)
18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(AA)
19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(AB)
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If someone curses their father or mother,(AC)
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.(AD)
21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(AE)
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(AF)
23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.(AG)
24 A person’s steps are directed(AH) by the Lord.(AI)
How then can anyone understand their own way?(AJ)
25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.(AK)
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.(AL)
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.(AQ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Common English Bible (CEB)
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
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