Proverbs 20

1. Wine is a mocker, strong liquor a rowdy; 1 anyone led astray by it is unwise.

2. The dread of a king is like when a lion roars; 2 he who makes him angry commits a life-threatening sin.

3. Avoiding quarrels brings a person honor; 3 for any fool can explode in anger.

4. A lazy person won’t plow in winter; 4 so at harvest-time, when he looks, there is nothing.

5. The heart’s real intentions are like deep water; 5 but a person with discernment draws them out.

6. Most people announce that they show kindness, 6 but who can find someone faithful [enough to do it]?

7. The righteous live a life of integrity; 7 happy are their children after them.

8. The king seated on his judgment throne 8 can winnow out all evil with his glance.

9. Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, 9 I am cleansed from my sin”?

10. False weights and false measures — 10 Adonai detests them both.

11. The character of even a child is known by how he acts, 11 by whether his deeds are pure and right.

12. The hearing ear and the seeing eye — 12 Adonai made them both.

13. If you love sleep, you will become poor; 13 keep your eyes open, and you’ll have plenty of food.

14. “Really bad stuff!” says the buyer [to the seller]; 14 then he goes off and brags [about his bargain].

15. A person may have gold and a wealth of pearls, 15 but lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.

16. Seize his clothes, because he guaranteed a stranger’s loan; 16 take them as security for that unknown woman.

17. Food obtained by fraud may taste good, 17 but later the mouth is full of gravel.

18. After consultation, plans succeed; 18 so take wise advice when waging war.

19. A gossip goes around revealing secrets, 19 so don’t get involved with a talkative person.

20. Whoever curses his father or mother — 20 his lamp will go out in total darkness.

21. Possessions acquired quickly at first 21 will not be blessed in the end.

22. Don’t say, “I’ll pay back evil for evil”; 22 wait for Adonai to save you.

23. Adonai detests a double standard in weights, 23 and false scales are not good.

24. A man’s steps are ordered by Adonai, 24 so how can a person understand his own ways?

25. It is a snare to dedicate a gift to God rashly 25 and reflect on the vows only afterwards.

26. A wise king winnows the wicked [from the righteous] 26 and threshes them under the cartwheel.

27. The human spirit is a lamp of Adonai; 27 it searches one’s inmost being.

28. Grace and truth preserve a king; 28 with grace he upholds his throne.

29. The pride of the young is their strength; 29 the dignity of the old is gray hair.

30. Blows that wound purge away evil, 30 yes, beatings [cleanse] one’s inmost being.