Proverbs 20

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.WEBWine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.WEBThe terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.WEBIt is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.WEBThe sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.WEBCounsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?WEBMany men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?

7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.WEBA righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.

8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.WEBA king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.

9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?WEBWho can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?

10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.WEBDiffering weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

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

12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.WEBThe hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.

13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.WEBDon’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.WEB“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

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

16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.WEBTake the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

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

18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.WEBPlans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!

19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.WEBHe who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

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

21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.WEBAn inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.

22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.WEBDon’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.

23Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.WEBYahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

24Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?WEBA man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way?

25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.WEBIt is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.

26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.WEBA wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.

27The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.WEBThe spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.WEBLove and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.

29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.WEBThe glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.

30The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.WEBWounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.