Proverbs 20:1-15

New International Version

20 Wine^(A) is a mocker^(B) and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray^(C) by them is not wise.^(D)

²A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;^(E)
those who anger him forfeit their lives.^(F)

³It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool^(G) is quick to quarrel.^(H)

⁴Sluggards^(I) do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.^(J)

⁵The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,^(K)
but one who has insight draws them out.

⁶Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?^(L)

⁷The righteous lead blameless lives;^(M)
blessed are their children after them.^(N)

⁸When a king sits on his throne to judge,^(O)
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.^(P)

⁹Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;^(Q)
I am clean and without sin”?^(R)

¹⁰Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.^(S)

¹¹Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure^(T) and upright?

¹²Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.^(U)

¹³Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;^(V)
stay awake and you will have food to spare.

¹⁴“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

¹⁵Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

Proverbs 20:1-15

King James Version

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

²The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

³It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

⁴The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he 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.

⁶Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

⁷The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

⁸A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

⁹Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

¹⁰Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.

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

¹²The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.

¹³Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

¹⁴It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

¹⁵There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

New International Version (NIV)