Proverbs 20
20
1Wine is a mocker,#Gn 9:21; Pr 23:29–30; Is 28:7; Hs 4:11 beer is a brawler;
whoever goes astray#20:1 Or whoever staggers because of them is not wise.
2A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.#Nm 16:38; Est 4:11; Pr 8:36; 19:12; 28:15; Hab 2:10
3Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,#Pr 17:14
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.#Pr 15:18; 18:6; 22:10
4The slacker does not plow during planting season;#20:4 Lit plow in winter
at harvest time he looks,#20:4 Lit inquires and there is nothing.#Pr 24:27,30–34
5Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water;#Pr 18:4
but a person of understanding draws it out.
6Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy person?#Ps 53:2–3; Pr 28:20; Ec 7:28; Lk 18:8
7A righteous person acts with integrity;#Pr 2:7,20–21; 10:9; 13:6
his children who come after him will be happy.#Ps 37:26; 112:2
8A king sitting on a throne to judge
separates out all evil with his eyes.#Pr 20:26; 25:5; Mt 25:32
9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”?#1Kg 8:46; Jb 15:15–16; Ps 14:2–3; Ec 7:20; Rm 3:9–12; 1Jn 1:8
10Differing weights and varying measures#20:10 Lit Stone and stone, measure and measure —
both are detestable to the Lord.#Dt 25:14–15; Pr 11:1; 20:23; Mc 6:10–11
11Even a young man is known by his actions —
by whether his behavior is pure and upright.#Pr 21:8; Mt 7:16
12The hearing ear and the seeing eye —
the Lord made them both.#Ex 4:11; Ps 94:9; Pr 22:2; 29:13
13Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.#Pr 6:10–11; 19:15; 24:33–34
14“It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.
15There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.#Pr 3:15; 8:11
16Take his garment,
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.#Dt 24:12–13; Pr 6:1–5; 11:15; 27:13
17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person,#Pr 9:17
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.#Lm 3:16
18Finalize plans with counsel,#Pr 11:14; 15:22
and wage war with sound guidance.#Pr 24:6; Lk 14:31
19The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;#Lv 19:16; Pr 11:13
avoid someone with a big mouth.#Pr 13:3
20Whoever curses his father or mother#Ex 21:17; Pr 24:20; 30:11 —
his lamp will go out in deep darkness.#Jb 18:5
21An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.#Pr 21:5; 23:5; 28:22; Lk 15:11–13
22Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” #Pr 24:29; Mt 5:39; Rm 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pt 3:9
Wait on the Lord,#Ps 27:14 and he will rescue you.#Ps 37:7–9
23Differing weights#20:23 Lit A stone and a stone are detestable to the Lord,#Pr 20:10; Mc 6:11
and dishonest scales#Pr 11:1 are unfair.
24Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord,#Pr 16:9,33; 19:21
so how can anyone understand his own way?
25It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly
and later to reconsider his vows.#Nm 30:2; Dt 23:21; Ec 5:4–6
26A wise king separates out the wicked#Pr 20:8
and drives the threshing wheel#Is 28:27 over them.
27The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,#20:27 Lit breath
searching the innermost parts.#20:27 Lit the chambers of the belly#Ps 139:23; Pr 20:30; 1Co 2:11
28Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.
29The glory of young men is their strength,
and the splendor of old men is gray hair.#Lv 19:32; Pr 16:31
30Lashes and wounds purge away evil,#Is 53:5
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.#20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly
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Proverbs 20: CSB
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