Proverbs 20

Christian Standard Bible

20 Wine is a mocker,^(A) beer is a brawler;
whoever goes astray^[a] because of them is not wise.

² A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.^(B)

³ Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,^(C)
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.^(D)

⁴ The slacker does not plow during planting season;^[b]
at harvest time he looks,^[c] and there is nothing.^(E)

⁵ Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water;^(F)
but a person of understanding draws it out.

⁶ Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy person?^(G)

⁷ A righteous person acts with integrity;^(H)
his children who come after him will be happy.^(I)

⁸ A king sitting on a throne to judge
separates out all evil with his eyes.^(J)

⁹ Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”?^(K)

¹⁰ Differing weights and varying measures^[d]—
both are detestable to the Lord.^(L)

¹¹ Even a young man is known by his actions—
by whether his behavior is pure and upright.^(M)

¹² The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
the Lord made them both.^(N)

¹³ Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.^(O)

¹⁴ “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.

¹⁵ There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.^(P)

¹⁶ Take his garment,
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.^(Q)

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person,^(R)
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.^(S)

¹⁸ Finalize plans with counsel,^(T)
and wage war with sound guidance.^(U)

¹⁹ The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;^(V)
avoid someone with a big mouth.^(W)

²⁰ Whoever curses his father or mother^(X)—
his lamp will go out in deep darkness.^(Y)

²¹ An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.^(Z)

²² Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” ^(AA)
Wait on the Lord,^(AB) and he will rescue you.^(AC)

²³ Differing weights^[e] are detestable to the Lord,^(AD)
and dishonest scales^(AE) are unfair.

²⁴ Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord,^(AF)
so how can anyone understand his own way?

²⁵ It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly
and later to reconsider his vows.^(AG)

²⁶ A wise king separates out the wicked^(AH)
and drives the threshing wheel^(AI) over them.

²⁷ The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,^[f]
searching the innermost parts.^[g](AJ)

²⁸ Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.

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

³⁰ Lashes and wounds purge away evil,^(AL)
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.^[h]