1 Wine causes mocking, and beer causes fights; everyone led astray by them lacks wisdom. ISV — Proverbs 20:1
2 A king’s anger is like a lion’s roar; anyone who angers him forfeits his life. ISV — Proverbs 20:2
3 Avoiding strife brings a man honor, but every fool is quarrelsome. ISV — Proverbs 20:3
4 A lazy person doesn’t plow in the proper a20:4 The Heb. lacks proper season; he looks for a harvest, but there is nothing. ISV — Proverbs 20:4
5 The intentions of a person’s heart are deep waters, but a discerning person reveals them. ISV — Proverbs 20:5
6 Many claim “I’m a loyal person!” b20:6 Lit. claim to be people of gracious love but who can find someone who truly is? ISV — Proverbs 20:6
7 The righteous person lives a life of integrity; happy are his children who follow him! ISV — Proverbs 20:7
8 A king sits on a throne of justice, sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance. ISV — Proverbs 20:8
9 Who can say, “My intentions are pure; I am clean from any sin?” ISV — Proverbs 20:9
10 FALSE c20:10 Or Diverse weights and measures— the LORD surely detests both of them. ISV — Proverbs 20:10
11 Even a child is known by his actions, whether his deeds are pure and right. ISV — Proverbs 20:11
12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees— the LORD surely made them both. ISV — Proverbs 20:12
13 Do not love sleep or you’ll become poor, keep your eyes open and you’ll have plenty of food. ISV — Proverbs 20:13
14 “This is bad, bad,” says whoever is buying— but then he brags as he walks away after the sale. d20:14 The Heb. lacks after the sale ISV — Proverbs 20:14
15 There is an abundance of gold and precious stones, but lips of knowledge are a rare jewel. ISV — Proverbs 20:15
16 Take the garment of anyone who puts up collateral for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for an unfamiliar woman. ISV — Proverbs 20:16
17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but later his mouth will be full of gravel. ISV — Proverbs 20:17
18 Make plans by seeking advice; make war by obtaining guidance. ISV — Proverbs 20:18
19 Whoever spreads gossip betrays confidences; so don’t get involved with someone who talks too much. ISV — Proverbs 20:19
20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the deepest darkness. ISV — Proverbs 20:20
21 An inheritance quickly obtained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. ISV — Proverbs 20:21
22 Don’t say “I’ll avenge that wrong!” Wait on the LORD and he will deliver you. ISV — Proverbs 20:22
23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not good. ISV — Proverbs 20:23
24 A man’s steps are directed by the LORD; how then can anyone understand his own way? ISV — Proverbs 20:24
25 It is a trap for a person to declare quickly, “This is sacred,” and only later to have second thoughts about the vows. ISV — Proverbs 20:25
26 A wise king sifts the wicked, crushing them with the threshing wheel. ISV — Proverbs 20:26
27 A person’s spirit is the lamp of the LORD; it searches throughout one’s innermost being. ISV — Proverbs 20:27
28 Gracious love and truth preserve a king; through love his throne is made secure. ISV — Proverbs 20:28
29 The glory of young men is their strength; and the splendor of elders is their gray hair. ISV — Proverbs 20:29
30 Blows that wound clean away evil; such beatings cleanse e20:30 The Heb. lacks cleanse the innermost being. ISV — Proverbs 20:30