< Proverbs 20

[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's 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 grey head.

[30] The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.