Proverbs 20

On Life and Conduct

11Wine is a mocker, 2intoxicating drink a brawler, And whoever 3is intoxicated by it is not wise.2The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion; One who provokes him to anger 45forfeits his own life.36Avoiding strife is an honor for a person, But any fool will 7quarrel.4The 89lazy one does not plow after the autumn, So he 10begs during the harvest and has nothing.5A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water, But a person of understanding draws it out.6Many a person 11proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a 12trustworthy person?7A righteous person who 13walks in his integrity-- 14How blessed are his sons after him.815A king who sits on the throne of justice 16Disperses all evil with his eyes.917Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”?101819Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the Lord.11It is by his deeds that a boy 2021distinguishes himself, If his conduct is pure and right.12The hearing 22ear and the seeing eye, The Lord has made both of them.1323Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with 24food.14“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts.15There is gold, and an abundance of 25jewels; But lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.16Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger; And for foreigners, seize a pledge from him.1726Bread obtained by a lie is sweet to a person, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.18Prepare 27plans by consultation, And 28make war by wise guidance.19One who 29goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with 3031a gossip.20He who 32curses his father or his mother, His 33lamp will go out in time of darkness.21An inheritance gained in a hurry at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end.2234Do not say, “I will repay evil”; 35Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.233637Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord, And a 3839false scale is not good.2440A man’s steps are ordained by the Lord; How then can a person understand his way?25It is a trap for a person to say carelessly, “It is holy!” And 41after the vows to make inquiry.26A 42wise king scatters the wicked, And 43drives a 44threshing wheel over them.27The 4546spirit of a person is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the 47innermost parts of his being.2848Loyalty and 49truth watch over the king, And he upholds his throne by 50loyalty.29The glory of young men is their strength, And the 5152honor of old men is their gray hair.3053Bruising wounds clean away evil, And blows cleanse the 54innermost parts.