-
20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 20:2 The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion; anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself. 20:3 It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. 20:4 The lazy person does not plow in season; harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found. 20:5 The purposes in the human mind are like deep water, but the intelligent will draw them out. 20:6 Many proclaim themselves loyal, but who can find one worthy of trust? 20:7 The righteous walk in integrity-- happy are the children who follow them! 20:8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. 20:9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"? 20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD. 20:11 Even children make themselves known by their acts, by whether what they do is pure and right. 20:12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye-- the LORD has made them both. 20:13 Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. 20:14 "Bad, bad," says the buyer, then goes away and boasts. 20:15 There is gold, and abundance of costly stones; but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel. 20:16 Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger; seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners. 20:17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet, but afterward the mouth will be full of gravel. 20:18 Plans are established by taking advice; wage war by following wise guidance. 20:19 A gossip reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler. 20:20 If you curse father or mother, your lamp will go out in utter darkness. 20:21 An estate quickly acquired in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. 20:22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will help you. 20:23 Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good. 20:24 All our steps are ordered by the LORD; how then can we understand our own ways? 20:25 It is a snare for one to say rashly, "It is holy," and begin to reflect only after making a vow. 20:26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and drives the wheel over them. 20:27 The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD, searching every inmost part. 20:28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by righteousness. 20:29 The glory of youths is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair. 20:30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; beatings make clean the innermost parts.