THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

Proverbs 20

1 ¶ Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived by it is not wise.

2 ¶ The fear of a king is like the roaring of a lion: whoever provokes him to anger puts his own life in danger.

3 ¶ It is honorable for a man to avoid strife: but any fool can start a fight.

4 ¶ The sluggard will not plow because of the cold; therefore he will beg during 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 claim to be good: but where can you find someone you can trust?

7 ¶ A righteous man walks in his integrity: and his children are blessed after him.

8 ¶ A king sitting on his throne to judge sifts out every evil with his eyes.

9 ¶ Who can say, I have made my heart pure, I am cleansed from my sin?

10 ¶ Dishonest weights, and dishonest measures, both are an abomination to the LORD.

11 ¶ Even a child is known by what he does, whether what he does is pure, and right.

12 ¶ The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.

13 ¶ Do not love sleep, or you will be poor; open your eyes, and you will have enough to eat.

14 ¶ The buyer says, It is not worth it, it is not worth it: but after he leaves, then he boasts.

15 ¶ There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of those who know salvation are a rare treasure.

16 ¶ Take the garment of a man who guarantees a stranger’s debt: and hold him responsible when he makes a pledge in behalf of a foreigner.

17 ¶ Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18 ¶ Every plan succeeds through good advice: so use careful planning when making war.

19 ¶ He who goes around gossiping reveals secrets: therefore do not confide in someone who tells everything.

20 ¶ Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness.

21 ¶ An estate may be amassed quickly in the beginning; but its end will not be blessed.

22 ¶ Do not say, I will avenge this evil; but trust in the LORD, and he will save you.

23 ¶ Dishonest weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is wicked.

24 ¶ A man’s steps are ordered by the LORD; so how can a man understand his own way?

25 ¶ It is dangerous for a man to utter a vow rashly, and only later ask if he can fulfill it.

26 ¶ A wise king scatters the wicked, and drives the wheel over them.

27 ¶ A man’s spirit is the LORD’S lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

28 ¶ Mercy and truth protect a king: and his throne is strengthened by kindness.

29 ¶ The pride of young men is their strength: but a gray head is the splendor of old men.

30 ¶ Blows that hurt cleanse away evil: and strokes reach the innermost parts.

[Note: Verse 7 One who is righteous through faith in Christ (Romans 10:4) does not deceive himself by excusing and rationalizing sin (John 1:47) but walks in a clean conscience, doing what he knows to be right (Romans 6:4, 11, 12; 1 John 1:6-7).]