20:1 Wine¹ is a mocker,² and strong drink a brawler;
and whoever goes astray by them is not wise.³
20:2 The terror⁴ of a king is like that from⁵ a roaring of a lion;
whoever provokes him⁶ sins against himself.⁷
20:3 It is an honor for a person⁸ to cease⁹ from strife,
but every fool will be snarling.¹⁰
20:4 The sluggard will not plow¹¹ after the harvest time;¹²
so at the harvest¹³ he looks,¹⁴ but has nothing.
20:5 Counsel¹⁵ in a person’s heart¹⁶ is deep water,¹⁷
but an understanding person¹⁸ draws it out.
20:6 Many people make profession of faithful love,¹⁹
but a faithful person²⁰—who can find?²¹
20:7 The righteous person²² lives out his life²³ in his integrity;
blessed are his children after him.²⁴
20:8 A king sitting on the throne to judge²⁵
separates out²⁶ all evil with his eyes.²⁷
20:9 Who can say,²⁸ “I have kept my heart clean,²⁹
I am pure³⁰ from my sin”?
20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures—³¹
both of them are an abomination to the LORD.³²
20:11 Even a young child³³ is known³⁴ by his actions,
whether his activity is pure, and whether it is right.³⁵
20:12 The ear the hears and the eye that sees—³⁶
the LORD has also made them both.³⁷
20:13 Do not love sleep³⁸ lest you become impoverished,
open³⁹ your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
20:14 “It is bad, it is bad,” says the buyer;⁴⁰
when he goes on his way then he boasts.⁴¹
20:15 There is gold, and an abundance of rubies,
but⁴² lips of knowledge⁴³ are a precious jewel.
20:16 Take his garment⁴⁴ that is security for a stranger,⁴⁵
and hold him⁴⁶ in pledge that is surety for strangers.⁴⁷
20:17 Bread taken by falsehood⁴⁸ is sweet to a person,⁴⁹
but afterward his mouth is filled with gravel.⁵⁰
20:18 Every purpose⁵¹ is established by counsel;
so⁵² with guidance make war.⁵³
20:19 The one who goes about gossiping⁵⁴ reveals secrets;
so do not have anything to do⁵⁵ with one who opens his lips.⁵⁶
20:20 The one who curses⁵⁷ his father and his mother,
his lamp⁵⁸ shall be put out in the blackest⁵⁹ darkness.
20:21 An inheritance gained easily⁶⁰ in the beginning
will not be blessed⁶¹ in its end.
20:22 Do not say,⁶² “I will pay back⁶³ evil!”
Wait⁶⁴ for the LORD that He may vindicate you.⁶⁵
20:23 Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD,
and dishonest scales are not good.⁶⁶
20:24 The steps of an individual⁶⁷ are from⁶⁸ the LORD.
As for a human,⁶⁹ how can he understand his way?
20:25 It is a snare⁷⁰ for a person⁷¹ that he should rashly cry,⁷² “Holy!”
And afterward to reflect on⁷³ the vows.
20:26 A wise king separates out⁷⁴ the wicked;
he turns the threshing wheel over them.⁷⁵
20:27 The human spirit⁷⁶ is the lamp⁷⁷ of the LORD
searching all the innermost parts.⁷⁸
20:28 Loyal love and truth⁷⁹ preserve a king,
and his through is upheld by loyal love.⁸⁰
20:29 The glory⁸¹ of young men is their strength;
and the splendor⁸² of old men is gray hair.⁸³
20:30 Blows and wounds cleanse away⁸⁴ evil,
and beatings cleanse⁸⁵ the innermost being.⁸⁶