Proverbs 20 | King James Version

King James Version

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he 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. 6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? 7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. 8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? 10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. 11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. 12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. 13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. 17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. 19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. 20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. 21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. 23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. 24 Man' goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? 25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. 26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. 27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. 28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. 29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. 30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

New International Reader’s Version

1 Wine causes you to make fun of others, and beer causes you to start fights. Anyone who is led astray by them is not wise. 2 A king’s anger brings terror like a lion’s roar. Anyone who makes him angry may lose their life. 3 Avoiding a fight brings honour to a person. But every foolish person is quick to argue. 4 Anyone who refuses to work doesn’t plough in the right season. When they look for a crop at harvest time, they don’t find it. 5 The purposes of a person’s heart are like deep water. But one who has understanding brings them out. 6 Many claim to have love that never fails. But who can find a faithful person? 7 Those who do what is right live without blame. Blessed are their children after them. 8 A king sits on his throne to judge. He gets rid of all evil when he sees it. 9 No one can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure. I’m “clean”, and I haven’t sinned.’ 10 The LORD hates two things. He hates weights that weigh things heavier or lighter than they really are. He also hates measures that measure things larger or smaller than they really are. 11 Even small children are known by their actions. So is their conduct really pure and right? 12 The LORD has made two things. He has made ears that hear. He has also made eyes that see. 13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor. Stay awake, and you will have more food than you need. 14 ‘It’s no good. It’s no good!’ says a buyer. Then off they go and boast about what they bought. 15 There is gold, and there are plenty of rubies. But lips that speak knowledge are a priceless jewel. 16 Take the coat of one who puts up money for what a stranger owes. Hold it until you get paid back if it is done for an outsider. 17 Food gained by cheating tastes sweet. But you will end up with a mouth full of gravel. 18 Plans are made by asking for guidance. So if you go to war, get good advice. 19 A person who talks about others tells secrets. So avoid anyone who talks too much. 20 If anyone asks for bad things to happen to their father or mother, that person’s lamp will be blown out in total darkness. 21 Property that you claim too soon will not be blessed in the end. 22 Don’t say, ‘I’ll get even with you for the wrong you did to me!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will make things right for you. 23 The LORD hates weights that weigh things heavier or lighter than they really are. Scales that are not honest don’t please him. 24 The LORD directs a person’s steps. So how can anyone understand their own way? 25 A person is trapped if they make a hasty promise to God and only later thinks about what they said. 26 A wise king gets rid of evil people. He runs the threshing wheel over them. 27 The spirit of a person is the lamp of the LORD. It lights up what is deep down inside them. 28 Love and truth keep a king safe. Faithful love makes his throne secure. 29 Young men are proud of their strength. Grey hair brings honour to old men. 30 Blows and wounds scrub evil away. And beatings make you pure deep down inside.