Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.
Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own life.
The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoso] provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own soul.
3 It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife: but every fool will be quarrelling.
[It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
4 The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is [like] deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men wilt proclaim every one his own kindness: but a faithful man who can find?
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
7 A just man that walketh in his integrity, blessed are his children after him.
The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him.
8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
Divers weights, [and] divers measures, both of them [are] alike abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [be] pure, and whether [it be] right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
[It is] naught, [it is] naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 There is gold, and abundance of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge [are] a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge [that is surety] for strangers.
Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Bread of deceit [is] sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and by wise guidance make thou war,
[Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
He that goeth about [as] a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil: wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
23 Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
Divers weights [are] an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance [is] not good.
24 A man’s goings are of the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
Man’s goings [are] of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say, [It is] holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
[It is] a snare to the man [who] devoureth [that which is] holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26 A wise king winnoweth the wicked, and bringeth the [threshing] wheel over them.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the innermost parts of the belly.
The spirit of man [is] the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
The glory of young men [is] their strength: and the beauty of old men [is] the gray head.
30 Stripes that wound cleanse away evil: and strokes [reach] the innermost parts of the belly.
The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so [do] stripes the inward parts of the belly.
