Proverbs 20

1Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink full of violence: but every fool is entangled with them.

2The threat of a king differs not from the rage of a lion; and he that provokes him sins against his own soul.

3[It is] a glory to a man to turn aside from railing; but every fool is entangled with such matters.

4A sluggard when reproached is not ashamed: so also he who borrows corn in harvest.

5Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a prudent man will draw it out.

6A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but [it is] hard to find a faithful man.

7He that walks blameless in justice, shall leave his children blessed.

8Whenever a righteous king sits on the throne, no evil thing can stand before his presence.

9Who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sins? The lamp of him that reviles father or mother shall be put out, and his eyeballs shall see darkness. A portion hastily gotten at first shall not be blessed in the end. Say not, I will avenge myself on my enemy; but wait on the Lord, that he may help thee.

10A large and small weight, and divers measures, are even both of them unclean before the Lord; and [so is] he that makes them.

11A youth [when in company] with a godly man, will be restrained in his devices, and [then] his way will be straight.

12The ear hears, and the eye sees: even both of them are the Lord's work.

13Love not to speak ill, lest thou be cut off: open thine eyes, and be filled with bread.

23A double weight is an abomination to the Lord; and a deceitful balance is not good in his sight.

24A man's goings are directed of the Lord: how then can a mortal understand his ways?

25It is a snare to a man hastily to consecrate some of his own property: for [in that case] repentance comes after vowing.

26A wise king utterly crushes the ungodly, and will bring a wheel upon them.

27The spirit of man is a light of the Lord, who searches the inmost parts of the belly.

28Mercy and truth are a guard to a king, and will surround his throne with righteousness.

29Wisdom is an ornament to young men; and grey [hairs] are the glory of old men.

30Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues [shall come] into the inward parts of [their] belly.