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The Proverbs

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 20 -

Integrity of the righteous man

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.(a)
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?(b)
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 .(c) (d)
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.

Inheritance seized in haste

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.(e)
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.(f)
20
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.(g)
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.(h)
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.(i)
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 gray head.
30
The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.(j)

Footnotes

(a)20:4 cold: or, winter
(b)20:6 goodness: or, bounty
(c)20:10 Divers weights: Heb. A stone and a stone
(d)20:10 divers measures: Heb. an ephah and an ephah
(e)20:17 deceit: Heb. lying, or, falsehood
(f)20:19 flattereth: or, enticeth
(g)20:20 lamp: or, candle
(h)20:23 a false…: Heb. balance of deceit
(i)20:27 candle: or, lamp
(j)20:30 cleanseth…: Heb. is a purging medicine against

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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