Proverbs 20

1 Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever is led astray by drink is not wise.⋮

2 The fear of a king is like the fear of a young lion that is roaring; the one who makes him angry forfeits his life.⋮

3 It is an honor for anyone to avoid conflict, but every fool jumps into an argument.⋮

4 The lazy person does not plow in autumn; he seeks a crop at harvest time but will have nothing.⋮

5 The purpose in a human heart is like deep water, but someone with understanding will draw it out.⋮

6 Many a person proclaims he is loyal, but who can find one who is faithful?⋮

7 The righteous person walks in his integrity, and his sons who follow after him will be blessed.⋮

8 A king who sits on the throne performing the duties of a judge is winnowing with his eyes all the evil that is before him.⋮

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?⋮

10 Differing weights and unequal measures— Yahweh hates them both.⋮

11 Even a youth is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.⋮

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— Yahweh made them both.⋮

13 Do not love sleep or you will come to poverty; open your eyes and you will have plenty to eat.⋮

14 “Bad! Bad!” says the buyer, but when he goes away he boasts.⋮

15 There is gold and an abundance of costly stones, but lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.⋮

16 Take a garment of one who has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an immoral woman.⋮

17 Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.⋮

18 Plans are established by advice and only with wise guidance should you wage war.⋮

19 A gossip reveals secrets and so you should not associate with people who talk too much.⋮

20 If a person curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in the middle of darkness.⋮

21 An inheritance gained quickly at the beginning will do less good in the end.⋮

22 Do not say, “I will pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for Yahweh and he will rescue you.⋮

23 Yahweh hates unequal weights and dishonest scales are not good.⋮

24 A person's steps are directed by Yahweh; how then can he understand his way?⋮

25 It is a snare for a person to say rashly, “This thing is holy,” and begin to think about what it means only after making his vow.⋮

26 A wise king winnows the wicked and he turns a threshing wheel over them.⋮

27 The spirit of a person is the lamp of Yahweh, searching all his inmost parts.⋮

28 Covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness preserve the king; his throne is made secure by love.⋮

29 The glory of young men is their strength and the splendor of old people is their gray hair.⋮

30 Blows that make a wound cleanse away evil and beatings make the innermost parts clean.⋮