Proverbs 20

CLV(i) 1 Wine is a mocker; an intoxicant is a discomfiter; And anyone led into error by it is not wise. 2 Dread inspired by a king is a growling like that of a sheltered lion; He who enrages him sins against his own soul. 3 It is glory to a man to cease from contention, Yet every fool rails on." 4 In autumn the slothful man does not plow; In harvest time he shall be begging, but there will be nothing." 5 The counsel in a man's heart is like deep waters, Yet a man of understanding draws it out." 6 Many a man proclaims, each one, his kindness, Yet a faithful man who can find? 7 A righteous man who is walking in his integrity--Happy are his sons after him. 8 A king sitting on his throne of adjudication Winnows out all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, I have made my heart spotless; I am cleansed from my sin? 10 Standard weight differing with standard weight, ephah with ephah, An abhorrence to Yahweh are they both." 11 Even a youth is recognized by his actions, Whether his deeds are spotless and upright." 12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye--Yahweh has made them both. 13 Do not love sleep lest you should become destitute; Unclose your eyes so as to be surfeited with bread. 14 Bad, Bad! says the buyer, Yet after his departing, then he boasts." 15 Gold there is and many rubies, Yet a most precious jewel is lips speaking knowledge." 16 Take his cloak, for he has become surety for an alien, And since it is in behalf of a foreign woman, hold it in pledge." 17 Congenial to a man is bread gained by falsehood, Yet afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel." 18 Designs should be established by counsel; Execute war according to strategy. 19 He who goes about as a defamer reveals secret deliberation, And so you should not mix with one who entices with his lips." 20 He who maledicts his father and his mother, His lamp shall be extinguished at the approach of darkness." 21 An allotment rashly gained at first Shall not be blessed at last. 22 Do not say, I shall repay for evil; Be expectant toward Yahweh, and He shall save you." 23 An abhorrence to Yahweh is a standard weight differing with standard weight, And deceitful scales are not good." 24 A master's steps are directed by Yahweh; How then can a man understand his way? 25 It is a trap when a man is rash to pledge a holy donation, And only after making his vows to make a quest into it." 26 A wise king winnows the wicked And turns about the wheel over them. 27 A lamp of Yahweh is the life breath of mankind, Searching all the chambers of the inner being." 28 Benignity and truth preserve the king, And by benignity his throne is braced." 29 The beauty of those in their prime is their vigor, And the honor of those who are old is grey hair." 30 Welts and injury are the scouring agents against evil, And blows purge the chambers of the inner being."