20 Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler.
Whoever is intoxicated by them is not wise.
² The king’s rage is like a lion’s growl.
Whoever intrudes on him endangers his life.
³ Avoiding strife brings honor to a man,
but every stubborn fool is always fighting.
⁴ A lazy person fails to plow when it is the season for planting.^[a]
He expects something in the harvest, but nothing will be there.
⁵ The intentions in a person’s heart are deep water,
but a person with understanding can draw them out.
⁶ Many people claim to be loyal,^[b]
but who can find a trustworthy man?
⁷ A righteous person walks in his integrity.
How blessed are his children after him!
⁸ When a king sits on his throne as judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
⁹ Who can say, “I have purified my heart.
I am cleansed from my sinfulness”?
¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures—
both of them are disgusting to the Lord.
¹¹ Even a youth makes himself known by his acts,
by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
¹² An ear that hears and an eye that sees—
the Lord has made both of them.
¹³ Do not love sleep, or you will become poor.
Keep your eyes open, and you will have enough to eat.
¹⁴ “It’s no good! It’s no good!” says the buyer,
but then he goes away and brags.
¹⁵ There is gold, and there are many gems,^[c]
but lips that have knowledge are a precious vessel.
¹⁶ Take the garment from someone who guarantees a loan for a stranger.
Hold on to it when he offers it as collateral for a foreigner.
¹⁷ Food gained dishonestly tastes sweet to a person,
but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
¹⁸ Plans are strengthened by obtaining advice,
so do not wage war without consultation.
¹⁹ A person who goes around spreading gossip reveals secrets,
so do not associate with anyone whose lips are always open.
²⁰ The person who curses his father and his mother—
his lamp will be snuffed out in total darkness.
²¹ An inheritance easily obtained^[d] in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.
²² Do not say, “I’ll get even with you!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will rescue you.
²³ Differing weights are disgusting^[e] to the Lord,
and dishonest scales are not good.
²⁴ The steps a man takes come from the Lord,
so how can anyone understand his own way?
²⁵ A person falls into a trap if he pledges something to God impulsively
and considers his pledge only later.
²⁶ A wise king winnows out the wicked.
He rolls the threshing wheel over them.
²⁷ A man’s spirit is the lamp of the Lord.
It illuminates the depths of his heart.
²⁸ Mercy and truth protect a king,
and he maintains his throne with mercy.
²⁹ The splendor of young men is their strength,
but the majesty of old men is their gray hair.
³⁰ Wounds and bruises scrub away evil,
and a beating scrubs the depths of the heart.