Proverbs 20

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.

Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them 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 terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

3 It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife: but every fool will be quarrelling.

It is an honor for a person to keep away from strife, but every fool quarrels.

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 winter; therefore he shall 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?

Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?

7 A just man that walketh in his integrity, blessed are his children after him.

A righteous man walks in integrity; blessed are his children after him.

8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters 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 pure. I am clean and without sin?"

10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an 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 makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is 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 has made even both of them.

13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall 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's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

15 There is gold, and abundance of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge [that is surety] for strangers.

Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.

18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and by wise guidance make thou war,

Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war.

19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.

He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore do not keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.

Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, won't be blessed in the end.

22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil: wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

Do not say, "I will pay back evil." Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.

23 Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are no good.

24 A man’s goings are of the LORD; how then can man understand his way?

A man's steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his 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 a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.

26 A wise king winnoweth the wicked, and bringeth the [threshing] wheel over them.

A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing 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 LORD's lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.

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. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.

30 Stripes that wound cleanse away evil: and strokes [reach] the innermost parts of the belly.

Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.