Proverbs 20

Holman Christian Standard Bible

20 Wine is a mocker,^(A) beer is a brawler,
and whoever staggers 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 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,^(C)
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.^(D)

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

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

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

⁷ The one who lives with integrity is righteous;^(H)
his children^[c] who come after him will be happy.^(I)

⁸ A king sitting on a throne to judge
sifts 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—
if 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,^[e]
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 man,^(R)
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁴ A man’s steps are determined by the Lord,^(AE)
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.^(AF)

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

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

²⁸ Loyalty and faithfulness deliver 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.^(AJ)

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