[[Proverbs 19|<< Proverbs 19]] | [[Proverbs|Proverbs]] | [[Proverbs 21|Proverbs 21 >>]] ### Proverbs 20 1 WINE _is_ a mocker, strong drink _is_ raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. ^1 2 The fear of a king _is_ as the roaring of a lion: _whoso_ provokes him to anger sins _against_ his own soul. ^2 3 _It_ _is_ an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. ^3 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; _therefore_ shall he beg in harvest, and _have_ nothing. ^4 5 Counsel in the heart of man _is_ _like_ deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. ^5 6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? ^6 7 The just _man_ walks in his integrity: his children _are_ blessed after him. ^7 8 A king that sits in the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes. ^8 9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? ^9 10 Divers weights, _and_ divers measures, both of them _are_ alike abomination to the LORD. ^10 11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work _be_ pure, and whether _it_ _be_ right. ^11 12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them. ^12 13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, _and_ thou shalt be satisfied with bread. ^13 14 _It_ _is_ naught, _it_ _is_ naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasts. ^14 15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge _are_ a precious jewel. ^15 16 Take his garment that is surety _for_ a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. ^16 17 Bread of deceit _is_ sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. ^17 18 _Every_ purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. ^18 19 He that goes about _as_ a talebearer reveals secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flatters with his lips. ^19 20 Whoso curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. ^20 21 An inheritance _may_ _be_ gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. ^21 22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; _but_ wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. ^22 23 Divers weights _are_ an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance _is_ not good. ^23 24 Man's goings _are_ of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? ^24 25 _It_ _is_ a snare to the man _who_ devours _that_ _which_ _is_ holy, and after vows to make inquiry. ^25 26 A wise king scatters the wicked, and brings the wheel over them. ^26 27 The spirit of man _is_ the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. ^27 28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. ^28 29 The glory of young men _is_ their strength: and the beauty of old men _is_ the gray head. ^29 30 The blueness of a wound cleanses away evil: so _do_ stripes the inward parts of the belly. ^30