Proverbs 20–22

1Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

2The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?

7A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.

8A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.

9Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?

10Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

11Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.

12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.

13Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

14“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

15There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

16Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

17Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.

18Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!

19He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

20Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

21An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.

22Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.

23Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

24A man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way?

25It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.

26A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.

27The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

28Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.

29The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.

30Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.

1The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.

3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

4A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

6Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

7The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.

10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

11When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

14A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.

19It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

21He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

24The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.

25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

26There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

28A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.

29A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.

1A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

2The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.

3A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

4The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.

6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

7The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

9He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

12Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”

14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it.

15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.

18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

19I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in Yahweh.

20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,

21To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

22Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;

23for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,

25lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.

26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.

27If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

28Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.

29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.