Proverbs 20

Deep Water in the Heart ¹Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome— a staggering drunk is not much fun.

²    Quick-tempered leaders are like mad dogs—
   cross them and they bite your head off.

³    It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels,
   but fools love to pick fights.

⁴    A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring
   has nothing to harvest in the fall.

⁵    Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart;
   a wise person draws from the well within.

⁶    Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving,
   but where on earth can you find one?

⁷    God-loyal people, living honest lives,
   make it much easier for their children.

^8-9    Leaders who know their business and care
   keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap,
For who among us can be trusted
   to be always diligent and honest?

¹⁰    Switching price tags and padding the expense account
   are two things GOD hates.

¹¹    Young people eventually reveal by their actions
   if their motives are on the up and up.

Drinking from the Chalice of Knowledge ¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see—
   we get our basic equipment from GOD!

¹³    Don't be too fond of sleep; you'll end up in the poorhouse.
   Wake up and get up; then there'll be food on the table.

¹⁴    The shopper says, "That's junk—I'll take it off your hands,"
   then goes off boasting of the bargain.

¹⁵    Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge
   is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.

¹⁶    Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger;
   beware of accepting what a transient has pawned.

¹⁷    Stolen bread tastes sweet,
   but soon your mouth is full of gravel.

¹⁸    Form your purpose by asking for counsel,
   then carry it out using all the help you can get.

¹⁹    Gossips can't keep secrets,
   so never confide in blabbermouths.

²⁰    Anyone who curses father and mother
   extinguishes light and exists benighted.

The Very Steps We Take ²¹ A bonanza at the beginning
   is no guarantee of blessing at the end.

²²    Don't ever say, "I'll get you for that!"
   Wait for GOD; he'll settle the score.

²³    GOD hates cheating in the marketplace;
   rigged scales are an outrage.

²⁴    The very steps we take come from GOD;
   otherwise how would we know where we're going?

²⁵    An impulsive vow is a trap;
   later you'll wish you could get out of it.

²⁶    After careful scrutiny, a wise leader
   makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.

²⁷    GOD is in charge of human life,
   watching and examining us inside and out.

²⁸    Love and truth form a good leader;
   sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.

²⁹    Youth may be admired for vigor,
   but gray hair gives prestige to old age.

³⁰    A good thrashing purges evil;
   punishment goes deep within us.