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20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
    and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;
    anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.
It is honourable to refrain from strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.
The lazy person does not plough in season;
    harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found.
The purposes in the human mind are like deep water,
    but the intelligent will draw them out.

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20 Wine(A) is a mocker(B) and beer a brawler;
    whoever is led astray(C) by them is not wise.(D)

A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(E)
    those who anger him forfeit their lives.(F)

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(G) is quick to quarrel.(H)

Sluggards(I) do not plow in season;
    so at harvest time they look but find nothing.(J)

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(K)
    but one who has insight draws them out.

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Wine Is a Mocker

20 Wine (A)is a mocker,
Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

The [a]wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

(B)It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.

(C)The lazy man will not plow because of winter;
(D)He will beg during harvest and have nothing.

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:2 Lit. fear or terror, produced by the king’s wrath

20 (A)Wine is a mocker, (B)strong drink a brawler,
    and whoever (C)is led astray by it is not wise.[a]
The terror of a king is like (D)the growling of a lion;
    whoever provokes him to anger (E)forfeits his life.
It is an honor for a man to (F)keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.
(G)The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;
    (H)he will seek at harvest and have nothing.
The purpose in a man's heart is like (I)deep water,
    but a man of understanding will draw it out.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:1 Or will not become wise