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The Proverbs

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- Chapter 20 -

Integrity of the righteous man

1
It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.
2
Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.
3
Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
4
Because of the cold, the lazy one was not willing to plough. Therefore, in the summer, he will beg, and it will not be given to him.
5
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.
6
Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7
The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8
The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.
9
Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”
10
Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11
A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.
12
The hearing ear and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
13
Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14
“It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.

Inheritance seized in haste

15
There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16
Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.
17
The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18
Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19
Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20
Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21
When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22
Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23
Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24
The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?
25
It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26
A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.
27
The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28
Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29
The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30
The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.(a)

Footnotes

(a)20:30 The second part of this verse is to be understood as combining with the first, as if to say: “The bruise of a wound shall wipe away evils, and scourges shall wipe away evils, in the more secret places of the inner self.”(Conte)

Integrity of the righteous man

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 the LORD.
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, the LORD 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.

Inheritance seized in haste

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 the LORD, and he will save you.
23
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24
A man’s steps are from the LORD; 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 the LORD’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.
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