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Proverbs 20
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Proverbs 20
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 20
1 Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous;
none who are intoxicated by them are wise.[a](A)
2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion;(B)
those who incur his anger forfeit their lives.
3 A person gains honor by avoiding strife,
while every fool starts a quarrel.[b]
4 In seedtime sluggards do not plow;
when they look for the harvest, it is not there.
5 The intention of the human heart is deep water,
but the intelligent draw it forth.[c](C)
6 Many say, “My loyal friend,”
but who can find someone worthy of trust?
7 The just walk in integrity;
happy are their children after them!
8 A king seated on the throne of judgment
dispels all evil with his glance.[d]
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,(D)
I am cleansed of my sin”?[e]
10 Varying weights, varying measures,
are both an abomination to the Lord.(E)
11 In their actions even children can playact
though their deeds be blameless and right.[f]
12 The ear that hears, the eye that sees—
the Lord has made them both.[g]
13 Do not love sleep lest you be reduced to poverty;
keep your eyes open, have your fill of food.
14 “Bad, bad!” says the buyer,
then goes away only to boast.[h]
15 One can put on gold and abundant jewels,
but wise lips are the most precious ornament.[i]
16 Take the garment of the one who became surety for a stranger;(F)
if for foreigners, exact the pledge![j]
17 Bread earned by deceit is sweet,
but afterward the mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Plans made with advice succeed;
with wise direction wage your war.
19 A slanderer reveals secrets;
so have nothing to do with a babbler!
20 Those who curse father or mother—
their lamp will go out[k] in the dead of night.(G)
21 Possessions greedily guarded at the outset
will not be blessed in the end.[l]
22 Do not say, “I will repay evil!”
Wait for the Lord, who will help you.[m](H)
23 Varying weights are an abomination to the Lord,
and false scales are not good.(I)
24 Our steps are from the Lord;(J)
how, then, can mortals understand their way?[n]
25 It is a trap to pledge rashly a sacred gift,
and after a vow, then to reflect.[o]
26 A wise king winnows the wicked,
and threshes them under the cartwheel.[p]
27 A lamp from the Lord is human life-breath;
it searches through the inmost being.[q]
28 His steadfast loyalty safeguards the king,
and he upholds his throne by justice.(K)
29 The glory of the young is their strength,
and the dignity of the old is gray hair.(L)
30 Evil is cleansed away by bloody lashes,
and a scourging to the inmost being.
Footnotes
- 20:1 The cause stands for its effect (wine, drunken behavior). In Proverbs wine is a sign of prosperity and a symbol of feasting (3:10; 4:17; 9:2, 5) but also a potential threat to wisdom as in 20:1; 21:17; 23:29–35.
- 20:3 The honor that one might seek to gain from fighting comes of itself to the person who refrains from fighting.
- 20:5 The heart is where human plans are made and stored; they remain “deep water” until words reveal them to others. The wise know how to draw up those waters, i.e., express them. Cf. 18:4.
- 20:8 The royal throne is established in justice and the king is the agent of that justice.
- 20:9 A claim to sinlessness can be merely self-deception; see 16:2; cf. also 15:11.
- 20:11 The verb in colon A can mean either “to make oneself known” or “to play another person” (as in Gn 42:7 and 1 Kgs 14:5, 6). The second meaning makes a better parallel to colon B. The meaning is that if a child can playact, an adult can do so even more. Actions do not always reveal character.
- 20:12 Human judgments are not ultimate; the Lord expects proper use of these faculties.
- 20:14 Bartering invites playacting and masking one’s true intent. The truth of words depends on their context.
- 20:15 Wisdom is said to be preferable to gold in 3:14; 8:10, 19; 16:16. Colon B suggests that the gold and jewelry here are ornaments for the face (cf. Gn 24:53; Ex 3:22; Is 61:10). Wise lips are the most beautiful adornment, for they display the wisdom of the heart.
- 20:16 The text is not clear. See 27:13. Caution in becoming surety is always advised (cf. 6:1–3), and it is especially advisable with strangers.
- 20:20 Their lamp will go out: misfortune, even death, awaits them; cf. 13:9; Ex 21:17.
- 20:21 By definition, an inheritance is not gained by one’s own efforts but is received as a gift. If, when one first receives the inheritance, one drives everyone away, one treats it as if one acquired it by one’s own efforts. In an agricultural society, an inheritance would often be a field that would require God’s blessing to be fertile.
- 20:22 Appointing oneself an agent of divine retribution is dangerous. Better to wait for God to effect justice. Cf. 24:17–18.
- 20:24 An indication of the Lord’s inscrutable providence; cf. Jer 10:23; see Prv 21:2; cf. also 14:12.
- 20:25 This verse cautions against making vows without proper reflection; cf. Dt 23:22–25; Eccl 5:4–5.
- 20:26 The king is responsible for effecting justice. Judgment is portrayed in agricultural imagery—exposing grain to a current of air so that the chaff is blown away, and passing a wheel over the cereal to break the husk. Winnowing as image for judgment is found throughout the Bible.
- 20:27 A parallel is drawn between the life-breath that is God’s gift (Jb 32:8; 33:2) coursing through the human body (Is 2:22) and the lamp of God, which can be a symbol of divine scrutiny. In Zep 1:12, God declares, “And in that day I will search through Jerusalem with lamps.”
Proverbs 20
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Proverbs 20
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
2 The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;
anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.
3 It is honorable to refrain from strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4 The lazy person does not plow in season;
harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found.
5 The purposes in the human mind are like deep water,
but the intelligent will draw them out.
6 Many proclaim themselves loyal,
but who can find one worthy of trust?
7 The righteous walk in integrity—
happy are the children who follow them!
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment
winnows all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean;
I am pure from my sin”?
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
11 Even children make themselves known by their acts,
by whether what they do is pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
the Lord has made them both.
13 Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty;
open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.
14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
then goes away and boasts.
15 There is gold, and abundance of costly stones;
but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger;
seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners.
17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet,
but afterward the mouth will be full of gravel.
18 Plans are established by taking advice;
wage war by following wise guidance.
19 A gossip reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with a babbler.
20 If you curse father or mother,
your lamp will go out in utter darkness.
21 An estate quickly acquired in the beginning
will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
wait for the Lord, and he will help you.
23 Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord,
and false scales are not good.
24 All our steps are ordered by the Lord;
how then can we understand our own ways?
25 It is a snare for one to say rashly, “It is holy,”
and begin to reflect only after making a vow.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked,
and drives the wheel over them.
27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord,
searching every inmost part.
28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king,
and his throne is upheld by righteousness.[a]
29 The glory of youths is their strength,
but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair.
30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
beatings make clean the innermost parts.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:28 Gk: Heb loyalty
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 American Standard Bible
Proverbs 20
New American Standard Bible
On Life and Conduct
20 (A)Wine is a mocker, (B)intoxicating drink a brawler,
And whoever [a]is intoxicated by it is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
One who provokes him to anger [b](C)forfeits his own life.
3 (D)Avoiding strife is an honor for a person,
But any fool will [c]quarrel.
4 The [d](E)lazy one does not plow after the autumn,
So he [e]begs during the harvest and has nothing.
5 A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water,
But a person of understanding draws it out.
6 Many a person (F)proclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a (G)trustworthy person?
7 A righteous person who (H)walks in his integrity—
(I)How blessed are his sons after him.
8 (J)A king who sits on the throne of justice
[f]Disperses all evil with his eyes.
9 (K)Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin”?
10 [g](L)Differing weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the Lord.
11 It is by his deeds that a boy [h](M)distinguishes himself,
If his conduct is pure and right.
12 The hearing (N)ear and the seeing eye,
The Lord has made both of them.
13 (O)Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with [i]food.
14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
But when he goes his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold, and an abundance of [j]jewels;
But lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.
16 Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger;
And for foreigners, seize a pledge from him.
17 (P)Bread obtained by a lie is sweet to a person,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18 Prepare (Q)plans by consultation,
And (R)make war by wise guidance.
19 One who (S)goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with [k](T)a gossip.
20 He who (U)curses his father or his mother,
His (V)lamp will go out in time of darkness.
21 An inheritance gained in a hurry at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.
22 (W)Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
(X)Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.
23 [l](Y)Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord,
And a [m](Z)false scale is not good.
24 (AA)A man’s steps are ordained by the Lord;
How then can a person understand his way?
25 It is a trap for a person to say carelessly, “It is holy!”
And (AB)after the vows to make inquiry.
26 A (AC)wise king scatters the wicked,
And [n]drives a (AD)threshing wheel over them.
27 The [o](AE)spirit of a person is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the [p]innermost parts of his being.
28 [q]Loyalty and (AF)truth watch over the king,
And he upholds his throne by [r]loyalty.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
And the [s](AG)honor of old men is their gray hair.
30 (AH)Bruising wounds clean away evil,
And blows cleanse the [t]innermost parts.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:1 Lit errs
- Proverbs 20:2 Lit sins against
- Proverbs 20:3 Lit burst out
- Proverbs 20:4 Lit idle
- Proverbs 20:4 Lit asks
- Proverbs 20:8 Or Sifts
- Proverbs 20:10 Lit A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah
- Proverbs 20:11 Or makes himself known
- Proverbs 20:13 Lit bread
- Proverbs 20:15 Or corals
- Proverbs 20:19 Lit one who opens his lips
- Proverbs 20:23 Lit A stone and a stone
- Proverbs 20:23 Lit balance of deceit
- Proverbs 20:26 Lit turns
- Proverbs 20:27 Lit breath
- Proverbs 20:27 Lit chambers of the body
- Proverbs 20:28 I.e., covenant loyalty
- Proverbs 20:28 I.e., covenant loyalty
- Proverbs 20:29 Or splendor
- Proverbs 20:30 Lit chambers of the body
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
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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