Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker and strong drinke is raging: and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby, is not wise.
Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever is led astray by drink 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 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 a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
It is an honor for anyone to avoid conflict, but every fool jumps into an argument.
4 The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
The lazy person does not plow in autumn; he seeks a crop at harvest time but will have 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 a human heart is like deep water, but someone with understanding will draw it out.
6 Many men wil boast, euery one of his owne goodnes: but who can finde a faithfull man?
Many a person proclaims he is loyal, but who can find one who is faithful?
7 He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.
The righteous person walks in his integrity, and his sons who follow after him will be blessed.
8 A King that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, chaseth away all euill with his eyes.
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 haue made mine heart cleane, I am cleane from my sinne?
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?
10 Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
Differing weights and unequal measures— Yahweh hates them both.
11 A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.
Even a youth is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 The Lord hath made both these, euen the eare to heare, and the eye to see.
Ears that hear and eyes that see— Yahweh made them both.
13 Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Do not love sleep or you will come to poverty; open your eyes and you will have plenty to eat.
14 It is naught, it is naught, sayth the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth.
“Bad! Bad!” says the buyer, but when he goes away he boasts.
15 There is golde, and a multitude of precious stones: but the lips of knowledge are a precious iewel.
There is gold and an abundance of costly stones, but lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
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 The bread of deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.
Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
18 Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.
Plans are established by advice and only with wise guidance should you wage war.
19 He that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
A gossip reveals secrets and so you should not associate with people who talk too much.
20 He that curseth his father or his mother, his light shalbe put out in obscure darkenes.
If a person curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in the middle of darkness.
21 An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
An inheritance gained quickly at the beginning will do less good in the end.
22 Say not thou, I wil recompense euill: but waite vpon the Lord, and he shall saue thee.
Do not say, “I will pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for Yahweh and he will rescue you.
23 Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
Yahweh hates unequal weights and dishonest scales are not good.
24 The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?
A person's steps are directed by Yahweh; how then can he understand 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 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 scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
A wise king winnows the wicked and he turns a threshing wheel over them.
27 The light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.
The spirit of a person is the lamp of Yahweh, searching all his inmost parts.
28 Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.
Covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness preserve the king; his throne is made secure by love.
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 splendor of old people is their gray hair.
30 The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
Blows that make a wound cleanse away evil and beatings make the innermost parts clean.
