Proverbs 20
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1Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.2The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.4The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.5The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.7The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes.8A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”?9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
10Diverse weights and diverse measures, They are both alike, an abomination to the LORD.10Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.
11Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.11Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both.12Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.
13Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.13Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14It is good for nothing,” cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.14“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.15There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.16Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war.18Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.20Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end.21An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
22Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, And dishonest scales are not good.23Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
24A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?24A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows.25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them.26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
28Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.28Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
29The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head.29The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.30Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.
Proverbs 19
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