Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker and strong drinke is raging: and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby, is not wise.
Wine makes men foolish, and strong drink makes men come to blows; and whoever comes into error through these is not wise.
2 The feare of the King is like the roaring of a lyon: hee that prouoketh him vnto anger, sinneth against his owne soule.
The wrath of a king is like the loud cry of a lion: he who makes him angry does wrong against himself.
3 It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
It is an honour for a man to keep from fighting, but the foolish are ever at war.
4 The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.
5 The counsell in the heart of man is like deepe waters: but a man that hath vnderstanding, will drawe it out.
The purpose in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of good sense will get it out.
6 Many men wil boast, euery one of his owne goodnes: but who can finde a faithfull man?
Most men make no secret of their kind acts: but where is a man of good faith to be seen?
7 He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.
An upright man goes on in his righteousness: happy are his children after him!
8 A King that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, chaseth away all euill with his eyes.
A king on the seat of judging puts to flight all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I haue made mine heart cleane, I am cleane from my sinne?
Who is able to say, I have made my heart clean, I am free from my sin?
10 Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
Unequal weights and unequal measures, they are all disgusting to the Lord.
11 A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.
Even a child may be judged by his doings, if his work is free from sin and if it is right.
12 The Lord hath made both these, euen the eare to heare, and the eye to see.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye are equally the Lord's work.
13 Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Do not be a lover of sleep, or you will become poor: keep your eyes open, and you will have bread enough.
14 It is naught, it is naught, sayth the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth.
A poor thing, a poor thing, says he who is giving money for goods: but when he has gone on his way, then he makes clear his pride in what he has got.
15 There is golde, and a multitude of precious stones: but the lips of knowledge are a precious iewel.
There is gold and a store of corals: but the lips of knowledge are a jewel of great price.
16 Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
Take a man's clothing if he makes himself responsible for a strange man, and get an undertaking from him who gives his word for strange men.
17 The bread of deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but after, his mouth will be full of sand.
18 Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.
Every purpose is put into effect by wise help: and by wise guiding make war.
19 He that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
He who goes about talking of the business of others gives away secrets: so have nothing to do with him whose lips are open wide.
20 He that curseth his father or his mother, his light shalbe put out in obscure darkenes.
If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.
21 An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing.
22 Say not thou, I wil recompense euill: but waite vpon the Lord, and he shall saue thee.
Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting for the Lord, and he will be your saviour.
23 Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
Unequal weights are disgusting to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
24 The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?
A man's steps are of the Lord; how then may a man have knowledge of his way?
25 It is a destruction for a man to deuoure that which is sanctified, and after the vowes to inquire.
It is a danger to a man to say without thought, It is holy, and, after taking his oaths, to be questioning if it is necessary to keep them.
26 A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
A wise king puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them.
27 The light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.
The Lord keeps watch over the spirit of man, searching all the deepest parts of the body.
28 Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.
Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the seat of his power is based on upright acts.
29 The beautie of yong men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.
The glory of young men is their strength, and the honour of old men is their grey hairs.
30 The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
By the wounds of the rod evil is taken away, and blows make clean the deepest parts of the body.
