Proverbs 20 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.^[1] (Ge 9:21; Pr 23:29; Pr 31:4; Isa 28:7; Ho 4:11)

Ge 9:21Pr 23:29Pr 31:4Isa 28:7Ho 4:11

2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. (Nu 16:38; Pr 8:36; Pr 19:12; Hab 2:10)

Nu 16:38Pr 8:36Pr 19:12Hab 2:10

3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. (Pr 17:14) 4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. (Pr 6:11; Pr 19:15; Pr 19:24) 5 The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. (Pr 18:4) 6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? (Ps 12:1; Pr 25:14; Mt 6:2; Lu 18:11)

Ps 12:1Pr 25:14Mt 6:2Lu 18:11

7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! (1Ki 15:4; Ps 37:26; Ps 112:2; Pr 19:1; Jer 33:20)

1Ki 15:4Ps 37:26Ps 112:2Pr 19:1Jer 33:20

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. (Ps 101:5; Pr 16:10; Pr 20:26; Pr 25:5)

Ps 101:5Pr 16:10Pr 20:26Pr 25:5

9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”? (1Ki 8:46) 10 Unequal^[2] weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord. (Pr 11:1; Pr 20:23) 11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.^[3] (Mt 7:16) 12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both. (Ex 4:11; Ps 94:9; Pr 15:31; Pr 25:12)

Ex 4:11Ps 94:9Pr 15:31Pr 25:12

13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. (Pr 6:4; Pr 12:11; Pr 19:15; Pr 20:4; Pr 31:15; Ro 12:11)

Pr 6:4Pr 12:11Pr 19:15Pr 20:4Pr 31:15Ro 12:11

14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts. 15 There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. (Job 28:18; Pr 3:14) 16 Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.^[4] (Job 22:6; Pr 6:1; Pr 22:26; Pr 27:13)

Job 22:6Pr 6:1Pr 22:26Pr 27:13

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. (Pr 9:17; La 3:16) 18 Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. (Pr 11:14; Pr 15:22; Pr 24:6; Lu 14:31)

Pr 11:14Pr 15:22Pr 24:6Lu 14:31

19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.^[5] (Pr 11:13; Pr 13:3; Ro 16:18) 20 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. (Ex 21:17; 2Sa 21:17; Job 18:5; Pr 30:11; Pr 30:17)

Ex 21:172Sa 21:17Job 18:5Pr 30:11Pr 30:17

21 An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. (Pr 13:11) 22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. (Ps 27:14; Pr 17:13; Pr 24:29; Mt 5:39; Ro 12:17; Ro 12:19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9)

Ps 27:14Pr 17:13Pr 24:29Mt 5:39Ro 12:17Ro 12:191Th 5:151Pe 3:9

23 Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good. (Pr 11:1; Pr 20:10) 24 A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way? (Pr 16:9) 25 It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. (Ec 5:4) 26 A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them. (Isa 28:27; Mt 3:12) 27 The spirit^[6] of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. (Pr 18:8; Zep 1:12; 1Co 2:11) 28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. (Pr 3:3; Pr 16:12) 29 The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. (Pr 16:31) 30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts. (Pr 20:27; Isa 53:5)