Proverbs 20

Wine Is a Mocker

¹ Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler,

and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

² The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion;

whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.^a

³ It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,

but any fool will quarrel.

⁴ The slacker does not plow in season;

at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

⁵ The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters,

but a man of understanding draws them out.

⁶ Many a man proclaims his loving devotion,

but who can find a trustworthy man?

⁷ The righteous man walks with integrity;

blessed are his children after him.

⁸ A king who sits on a throne to judge

sifts out all evil with his eyes.

⁹ Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;

I am cleansed from my sin”?

¹⁰ Differing weights and unequal measures^b —

both are detestable to the LORD.

¹¹ Even a young man is known by his actions—

whether his conduct is pure and upright.

¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see—

the LORD has made them both.

¹³ Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor;

open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

¹⁴ “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer,

but on the way out, he gloats.

¹⁵ There is an abundance of gold and rubies,

but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

¹⁶ Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger;

get collateral if it is for a foreigner.^c

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,

but later his mouth is full of gravel.

¹⁸ Set plans by consultation,

and wage war under sound guidance.

¹⁹ He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;

avoid the one who babbles^d with his lips.

²⁰ Whoever curses his father or mother,

his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.

²¹ An inheritance gained quickly

will not be blessed in the end.

²² Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!”

Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

²³ Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD,

and dishonest scales are no good.

²⁴ A man’s steps are from the LORD,

so how can anyone understand his own way?

²⁵ It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly,

only later to reconsider his vows.

²⁶ A wise king separates out the wicked

and drives the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷ The spirit^e of a man is the lamp of the LORD,

searching out his inmost being.

²⁸ Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king;

by these he maintains his throne.

²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength,

and gray hair is the splendor of the old.

³⁰ Lashes and wounds scour evil,

and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.