Proverbs 20:16-30

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Proverbs 20:16-30 The Message (MSG)

Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger; beware of accepting what a transient has pawned. Stolen bread tastes sweet, but soon your mouth is full of gravel. Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get. Gossips can’t keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths. Anyone who curses father and mother extinguishes light and exists benighted. A bonanza at the beginning is no guarantee of blessing at the end. Don’t ever say, “I’ll get you for that!” Wait for GOD; he’ll settle the score. GOD hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage. The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we’re going? An impulsive vow is a trap; later you’ll wish you could get out of it. After careful scrutiny, a wise leader makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts. GOD is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out. Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity. Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age. A good thrashing purges evil; punishment goes deep within us.

Proverbs 20:16-30 King James Version (KJV)

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: And take a pledge of him for a strange woman. Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. Every purpose is established by counsel: And with good advice make war. He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: Therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed. Say not thou, I will recompense evil; But wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; And a false balance is not good. Man's goings are of the LORD; How can a man then understand his own way? It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, And after vows to make enquiry. A wise king scattereth the wicked, And bringeth the wheel over them. The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, Searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the king: And his throne is upholden by mercy. The glory of young men is their strength: And the beauty of old men is the grey head. The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: So do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

Proverbs 20:16-30 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)

Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge. Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance. He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip. He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness. An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good. Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!” And after the vows to make inquiry. A wise king winnows the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them. The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being. Loyalty and truth preserve the king, And he upholds his throne by righteousness. The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair. Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts.

Proverbs 20:16-30 New Century Version (NCV)

Take the coat of someone who promises to pay a stranger’s debts, and keep it until he pays what the stranger owes. Stolen food may taste sweet at first, but later it will feel like a mouth full of gravel. Get advice if you want your plans to work. If you go to war, get the advice of others. Gossips can’t keep secrets, so avoid people who talk too much. Those who curse their father or mother will be like a light going out in darkness. Wealth inherited quickly in the beginning will do you no good in the end. Don’t say, “I’ll pay you back for the wrong you did.” Wait for the LORD, and he will make things right. The LORD hates dishonest weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. The LORD decides what a person will do; no one understands what his life is all about. It’s dangerous to promise something to God too quickly. After you’ve thought about it, it may be too late. A wise king sorts out the evil people, and he punishes them as they deserve. The LORD looks deep inside people and searches through their thoughts. Loyalty and truth keep a king in power; he continues to rule if he is loyal. The young glory in their strength, and the old are honored for their gray hair. Hard punishment will get rid of evil, and whippings can change an evil heart.

Proverbs 20:16-30 American Standard Version (ASV)

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for foreigners. Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war. He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips. Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness. An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed. Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee. Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; And a false balance is not good. A man’s goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way? It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry. A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the threshing-wheel over them. The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts. Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness. The glory of young men is their strength; And the beauty of old men is the hoary head. Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokes reach the innermost parts.

Proverbs 20:16-30 New International Version (NIV)

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance. A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way? It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being. Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

Proverbs 20:16-30 New King James Version (NKJV)

Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress. Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness. An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end. Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, And dishonest scales are not good. A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way? It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them. The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne. The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head. Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.

Proverbs 20:16-30 Amplified Bible (AMP)

[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.” [Prov 27:13] Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair]. Plans are established by counsel; So make war [only] with wise guidance. He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters]. [Rom 16:17, 18] Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp [of life] will be extinguished in time of darkness. An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. [Prov 28:20; Hab 2:6] Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait [expectantly] for the LORD, and He will rescue and save you. [Deut 32:35; 2 Sam 16:12; Rom 12:17-19; 1 Thess 5:15; 1 Pet 3:9] Differing weights are detestable and offensive to the LORD, And fraudulent scales are not good. Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the LORD. How then can a man [fully] understand his way? It is a trap for a man to [speak a vow of consecration and] say rashly, “It is holy!” And [not until] afterward consider [whether he can fulfill it]. A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good] And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain]. The spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being. [1 Cor 2:11] Loyalty and mercy, truth and faithfulness, protect the king, And he upholds his throne by lovingkindness. The glory of young men is their [physical] strength, And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience]. Blows that wound cleanse away evil, And strokes reach to the innermost parts.

Proverbs 20:16-30 New Living Translation (NLT)

Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners. Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth. Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice. A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers. If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness. An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter. The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales. The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them. The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love. The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old. Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.

Proverbs 20:16-30 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Anyone stupid enough to guarantee a loan for a stranger deserves to have his property held as security. What you obtain dishonestly may seem sweet at first, but sooner or later you’ll live to regret it. If you solicit good advice, then your plans will succeed. So don’t charge into battle without wisdom, for wars are won by skillful strategy. A blabbermouth will reveal your secrets, so stay away from people who can’t keep their mouths shut. If you despise your father or mother, your life will flicker out like a lamp, extinguished into the deepest darkness. If an inheritance is gained too early in life, it will not be blessed in the end. Don’t ever say, “I’m going to get even with them if it’s the last thing I do!” Wrap God’s grace around your heart and he will be the one to vindicate you. The Lord hates double standards— that’s hypocrisy at its worst! It is the Lord who directs your life, for each step you take is ordained by God to bring you closer to your destiny. So much of your life, then, remains a mystery! Be careful in making a rash promise before God, or you may be trapped by your vow and live to regret it. A wise king is able to discern corruption and remove wickedness from his kingdom. The spirit God breathed into man is like a living lamp, a shining light searching into the innermost chamber of our being. Good leadership is built on love and truth, for kindness and integrity are what keep leaders in their position of trust. We admire the young for their strength and beauty, but the dignity of the old is their wisdom. When you are punished severely, you learn your lesson well— for painful experiences do wonders to change your life.

Proverbs 20:16-30 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)

Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners. Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good. A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way? It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them. The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts. Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.