Proverbs 20

International Standard Version

² A king’s anger is like a lion’s roar;
    anyone who angers him forfeits his life.

³ Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
    but every fool is quarrelsome.

⁴ A lazy person doesn’t plow in the proper^[a] season;
    he looks for a harvest, but there is nothing.

⁵ The intentions of a person’s heart are deep waters,
    but a discerning person reveals them.

⁶ Many claim “I’m a loyal person!”^[b]
    but who can find someone who truly is?
⁷ The righteous person lives a life of integrity;
    happy are his children who follow him!

⁸ A king sits on a throne of justice,
    sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance.

⁹ Who can say, “My intentions are pure;
    I am clean from any sin?”

¹⁰ False^[c] weights and measures—
    the Lord surely detests both of them.

¹¹ Even a child is known by his actions,
    whether his deeds are pure and right.

¹² The ear that hears and the eye that sees—
    the Lord surely made them both.

¹³ Do not love sleep or you’ll become poor,
    keep your eyes open and you’ll have plenty of food.

¹⁴ “This is bad, bad,” says whoever is buying—
    but then he brags as he walks away after the sale.^[d]

¹⁵ There is an abundance of gold and precious stones,
    but lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

¹⁶ Take the garment of anyone who puts up collateral for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge if he does it for an unfamiliar woman.

¹⁷ Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
    but later his mouth will be full of gravel.

¹⁸ Make plans by seeking advice;
    make war by obtaining guidance.

¹⁹ Whoever spreads gossip betrays confidences;
    so don’t get involved with someone who talks too much.
²⁰ Whoever curses his father or mother,
    his lamp will be extinguished in the deepest darkness.

²¹ An inheritance quickly obtained at the beginning
    will not be blessed at the end.

²² Don’t say “I’ll avenge that wrong!”
    Wait on the Lord and he will deliver you.
²³ The Lord detests differing weights,
    and dishonest scales are not good.

²⁴ A man’s steps are directed by the Lord;
    how then can anyone understand his own way?
²⁵ It is a trap for a person to declare quickly, “This is sacred,”
    and only later to have second thoughts about the vows.

²⁶ A wise king sifts the wicked,
    crushing them with the threshing wheel.

²⁷ A person’s spirit is the lamp of the Lord;
    it searches throughout one’s innermost being.

²⁸ Gracious love and truth preserve a king;
    through love his throne is made secure.

²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength;
    and the splendor of elders is their gray hair.

³⁰ Blows that wound clean away evil;
    such beatings cleanse^[e] the innermost being.