Proverbs 20

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