Proverbs 20 – read and compare multiple versions
Proverbs 20
[1] Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler.
Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
[2] The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion.
He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
[3] It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
[4] The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter;
therefore he shall 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] Many men claim to be men of unfailing love,
but who can find a faithful man?
[7] A righteous man walks in integrity.
Blessed are his children after him.
[8] A king who sits on the throne of judgment
scatters away all evil with his eyes.
[9] Who can say, “I have made my heart pure.
I am clean and without sin”?
[10] Differing weights and differing measures,
both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
[11] Even a child makes himself known by his doings,
whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
[12] The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,
Yahweh has made even both of them.
[13] Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty.
Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
[14] “It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer;
but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
[15] There is gold and abundance of rubies,
but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
[16] Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger;
and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
[17] Fraudulent food is sweet to a man,
but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
[18] Plans are established by advice;
by wise guidance you wage war!
[19] He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets;
therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
[20] Whoever curses his father or his mother,
his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
[21] An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
won’t be blessed in the end.
[22] Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.”
Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
[23] Yahweh detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
[24] A man’s steps are from Yahweh;
how then can man understand his way?
[25] It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication,
then later to consider his vows.
[26] A wise king winnows out the wicked,
and drives the threshing wheel over them.
[27] The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp,
searching all his innermost parts.
[28] Love and faithfulness keep the king safe.
His throne is sustained by love.
[29] The glory of young men is their strength.
The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
[30] Wounding blows cleanse away evil,
and beatings purge the innermost parts.
Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
[2] The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion.
He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
[3] It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
[4] The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter;
therefore he shall 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] Many men claim to be men of unfailing love,
but who can find a faithful man?
[7] A righteous man walks in integrity.
Blessed are his children after him.
[8] A king who sits on the throne of judgment
scatters away all evil with his eyes.
[9] Who can say, “I have made my heart pure.
I am clean and without sin”?
[10] Differing weights and differing measures,
both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
[11] Even a child makes himself known by his doings,
whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
[12] The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,
Yahweh has made even both of them.
[13] Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty.
Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
[14] “It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer;
but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
[15] There is gold and abundance of rubies,
but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
[16] Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger;
and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
[17] Fraudulent food is sweet to a man,
but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
[18] Plans are established by advice;
by wise guidance you wage war!
[19] He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets;
therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
[20] Whoever curses his father or his mother,
his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
[21] An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
won’t be blessed in the end.
[22] Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.”
Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
[23] Yahweh detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
[24] A man’s steps are from Yahweh;
how then can man understand his way?
[25] It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication,
then later to consider his vows.
[26] A wise king winnows out the wicked,
and drives the threshing wheel over them.
[27] The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp,
searching all his innermost parts.
[28] Love and faithfulness keep the king safe.
His throne is sustained by love.
[29] The glory of young men is their strength.
The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
[30] Wounding blows cleanse away evil,
and beatings purge the innermost parts.