20:1 Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler;
whoever goes astray by them is not wise.
20:2 The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion;
whoever provokes him sins against himself.
20:3 It is an honor for a person to cease from strife,
but every fool quarrels.
20:4 The sluggard will not plow during the planting season,
so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.
20:5 Counsel in a person’s heart is like deep water,
but an understanding person draws it out.
20:6 Many people profess their loyalty,
but a faithful person – who can find?
20:7 The righteous person behaves in integrity;
blessed are his children after him.
20:8 A king sitting on the throne to judge
separates out all evil with his eyes.
20:9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart clean;
I am pure from my sin”?
20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures –
the Lord abhors both of them.
20:11 Even a young man is known by his actions,
whether his activity is pure and whether it is right.
20:12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees –
the Lord has made them both.
20:13 Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished;
open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.
20:14 “It’s worthless! It’s worthless!” says the buyer,
but when he goes on his way, he boasts.
20:15 There is gold, and an abundance of rubies,
but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel.
20:16 Take a man’s garment when he has given security for a stranger,
and when he gives surety for strangers, hold him in pledge.
20:17 Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person,
but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
20:18 Plans are established by counsel,
so make war with guidance.
20:19 The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth.
20:20 The one who curses his father and his mother,
his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness.
20:21 An inheritance gained easily in the beginning
will not be blessed in the end.
20:22 Do not say, “I will pay back evil!”
Wait for the Lord, so that he may vindicate you.
20:23 The Lord abhors differing weights,
and dishonest scales are wicked.
20:24 The steps of a person are ordained by the Lord –
so how can anyone understand his own way?
20:25 It is a snare for a person to rashly cry, “Holy!”
and only afterward to consider what he has vowed.
20:26 A wise king separates out the wicked;
he turns the threshing wheel over them.
20:27 The human spirit is like the lamp of the Lord,
searching all his innermost parts.
20:28 Loyal love and truth preserve a king,
and his throne is upheld by loyal love.
20:29 The glory of young men is their strength,
and the splendor of old men is gray hair.
20:30 Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil,
and floggings cleanse the innermost being.