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20 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls.
    Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.

The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar;
    to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;
    only fools insist on quarreling.

Those too lazy to plow in the right season
    will have no food at the harvest.

Though good advice lies deep within the heart,
    a person with understanding will draw it out.

Many will say they are loyal friends,
    but who can find one who is truly reliable?

The godly walk with integrity;
    blessed are their children who follow them.

When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence,
    distinguishing the bad from the good.

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart;
    I am pure and free from sin”?

10 False weights and unequal measures[a]
    the Lord detests double standards of every kind.

11 Even children are known by the way they act,
    whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—
    both are gifts from the Lord.

13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty.
    Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,”
    then brags about getting a bargain!

15 Wise words are more valuable
    than much gold and many rubies.

16 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt.
    Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.[b]

17 Stolen bread tastes sweet,
    but it turns to gravel in the mouth.

18 Plans succeed through good counsel;
    don’t go to war without wise advice.

19 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
    so don’t hang around with chatterers.

20 If you insult your father or mother,
    your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.

21 An inheritance obtained too early in life
    is not a blessing in the end.

22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.”
    Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

23 The Lord detests double standards;
    he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

24 The Lord directs our steps,
    so why try to understand everything along the way?

25 Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God
    and only later counting the cost.

26 A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat,
    then runs his threshing wheel over them.

27 The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit,[c]
    exposing every hidden motive.

28 Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king;
    his throne is made secure through love.

29 The glory of the young is their strength;
    the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.

30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil;[d]
    such discipline purifies the heart.

Footnotes

  1. 20:10 Hebrew A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah.
  2. 20:16 An alternate reading in the Masoretic Text is for a promiscuous woman.
  3. 20:27 Or The human spirit is the Lord’s light.
  4. 20:30 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

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.

Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?(L)

The righteous lead blameless lives;(M)
    blessed are their children after them.(N)

When a king sits on his throne to judge,(O)
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.(P)

Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;(Q)
    I am clean and without sin”?(R)

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)

17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,(Y)
    but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.(Z)

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)

27 The human spirit is[a] the lamp of the Lord(AM)
    that sheds light on one’s inmost being.(AN)

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
    through love(AO) his throne is made secure.(AP)

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
    gray hair the splendor of the old.(AQ)

30 Blows and wounds scrub(AR) away evil,
    and beatings(AS) purge the inmost being.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are

20 El vino(A) es escarnecedor, la bebida fuerte(B) alborotadora,
y cualquiera que con[a] ellos se embriaga no es sabio.
Como rugido de león es el terror al rey,
el que lo provoca a ira peca contra su propia alma(C).
Es honra para el hombre eludir[b] las contiendas,
pero cualquier necio se enredará en ellas[c](D).
Desde el otoño, el perezoso no ara(E),
pide en la cosecha, y no hay nada.
Como aguas profundas es el consejo en el corazón del hombre,
y el hombre de entendimiento lo sacará.
Muchos hombres proclaman su propia lealtad[d](F),
pero un hombre digno de confianza(G), ¿quién lo hallará?
El justo anda en su integridad(H);
¡cuán dichosos son sus hijos después de él(I)!
El rey que se sienta sobre el trono del juicio(J),
disipa[e] con sus ojos todo mal.
¿Quién puede decir: Yo he limpiado mi corazón,
limpio estoy de mi pecado(K)?
10 Pesas desiguales y medidas desiguales[f],
ambas cosas son abominables al Señor(L).
11 Aun por sus hechos da a conocer un muchacho(M)
si su conducta es pura y recta.
12 El oído que oye y el ojo que ve,
ambos los ha hecho el Señor(N).
13 No ames el sueño(O), no sea que te empobrezcas;
abre tus ojos y te saciarás de pan.
14 Malo, malo, dice el comprador,
pero cuando se marcha, entonces se jacta.
15 Hay oro y abundancia de joyas[g],
pero cosa más preciosa son los labios con conocimiento.
16 Tómale la ropa al que[h] sale fiador del extraño;
y tómale prenda por los extranjeros.
17 El pan obtenido con falsedad es dulce al hombre(P),
pero después su boca se llenará de grava.
18 Los proyectos con consejo se preparan(Q),
y con dirección sabia se hace la guerra(R).
19 El que anda murmurando revela secretos(S),
por tanto no te asocies con el chismoso[i](T).
20 Al que maldice a su padre o a su madre(U),
se le apagará(V) su lámpara en medio[j] de las tinieblas.
21 La herencia adquirida de prisa al principio,
no será bendecida al final.
22 No digas: Yo pagaré mal por mal(W);
espera en el Señor(X), y Él te salvará.
23 Pesas desiguales[k] son abominación al Señor(Y),
y una balanza falsa[l] no es buena(Z).
24 Por el Señor son ordenados los pasos del hombre(AA),
¿cómo puede, pues, el hombre entender su camino?
25 Lazo es para el hombre decir a la ligera: Es santo,
y después de los votos investigar(AB).
26 El rey sabio avienta a los impíos(AC),
y hace pasar[m] la rueda de trillar(AD) sobre ellos.
27 Lámpara del Señor es el espíritu[n] del hombre(AE)
que escudriña lo más profundo de su ser[o].
28 Lealtad[p] y verdad guardan al rey,
y por la justicia[q] sostiene su trono(AF).
29 La gloria de los jóvenes es su fuerza,
y la honra[r] de los ancianos, sus canas(AG).
30 Los azotes que hieren limpian del mal(AH),
y los golpes llegan a lo más profundo[s] del cuerpo.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbios 20:1 Lit., yerra por
  2. Proverbios 20:3 Lit., cesar
  3. Proverbios 20:3 Lit., se encolerizará
  4. Proverbios 20:6 O, bondad
  5. Proverbios 20:8 O, cierne
  6. Proverbios 20:10 Lit., Una piedra y una piedra, un efa y un efa
  7. Proverbios 20:15 O, corales
  8. Proverbios 20:16 Lit., cuando
  9. Proverbios 20:19 Lit., el que abre sus labios
  10. Proverbios 20:20 Lit., en la pupila
  11. Proverbios 20:23 Lit., Una piedra y una piedra
  12. Proverbios 20:23 Lit., de engaño
  13. Proverbios 20:26 Lit., da vueltas a
  14. Proverbios 20:27 Lit., aliento
  15. Proverbios 20:27 Lit., todas las cámaras del cuerpo
  16. Proverbios 20:28 O, Bondad
  17. Proverbios 20:28 O, Bondad
  18. Proverbios 20:29 O, el esplendor
  19. Proverbios 20:30 Lit., las cámaras

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

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

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.

11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.

13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.

24 Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?

25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

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.

Most men will proclaim each his own [b]goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?

(E)The righteous man walks in his integrity;
(F)His children are blessed after him.

A king who sits on the throne of judgment
Scatters all evil with his eyes.

(G)Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,
I am pure from my sin”?

10 (H)Diverse weights and diverse measures,
They are both alike, an abomination to the Lord.

11 Even a child is (I)known by his deeds,
Whether what he does is pure and right.

12 (J)The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The Lord has made them both.

13 (K)Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

14 It is [c]good for nothing,” cries the buyer;
But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies,
But (L)the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 (M)Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger,
And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.

17 (N)Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18 (O)Plans are established by counsel;
(P)By wise counsel wage war.

19 (Q)He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with one (R)who flatters with his lips.

20 (S)Whoever curses his father or his mother,
(T)His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.

21 (U)An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning
(V)Will not be blessed at the end.

22 (W)Do not say, “I will [d]recompense evil”;
(X)Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord,
And dishonest scales are not good.

24 A man’s steps are of the Lord;
How then can a man understand his own way?

25 It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy,
And afterward to reconsider his vows.

26 (Y)A wise king sifts out the wicked,
And brings the threshing wheel over them.

27 (Z)The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the [e]inner depths of his heart.

28 (AA)Mercy and truth preserve the king,
And by [f]lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
And (AB)the splendor of old men is their gray head.

30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
As do stripes the [g]inner depths of the heart.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:2 Lit. fear or terror, produced by the king’s wrath
  2. Proverbs 20:6 Lit. mercy
  3. Proverbs 20:14 Lit. evil, evil
  4. Proverbs 20:22 repay
  5. Proverbs 20:27 Lit. rooms of the belly
  6. Proverbs 20:28 mercy
  7. Proverbs 20:30 Lit. rooms of the belly