Proverbs 20

1Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. 3but every fool will be quarreling. It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; 4therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing. The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; 5but a man of understanding will draw it out. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; 6but who can find a faithful man? Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, 7Blessed are his children after him. A righteous man walks in integrity. 8scatters away all evil with his eyes. A king who sits on the throne of judgment 9I am clean and without sin?” Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. 10both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh. Differing weights and differing measures, 11whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. Even a child makes himself known by his doings, 12Yahweh has made even both of them. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, 13Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread. Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. 14but when he is gone his way, then he boasts. “It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; 15but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel. There is gold and abundance of rubies; 16and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman. Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; 17but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel. Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, 18by wise guidance you wage war! Plans are established by advice; 19therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips. He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; 20his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness. Whoever curses his father or his mother, 21won’t be blessed in the end. An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, 22Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you. Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” 23and dishonest scales are not pleasing. Yahweh detests differing weights, 24how then can man understand his way? A man’s steps are from Yahweh; 25then later to consider his vows. It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, 26and drives the threshing wheel over them. A wise king winnows out the wicked, 27searching all his innermost parts. The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, 28His throne is sustained by love. Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. 29The splendor of old men is their gray hair. The glory of young men is their strength. 30and beatings purge the innermost parts. Wounding blows cleanse away evil,