Chapter
Verse

Proverbs chapter 20

English Standard Version

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 2The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. 3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. 4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. 5The purpose in a man 's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? 7The righteous who walks in his integrity — blessed are his children after him! 8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, "I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"? 10 Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 11Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. 12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both. 13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. 14"Bad, bad," says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts. 15There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16 Take a man 's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners. 17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. 18 Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. 19Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. 20 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. 21 An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. 22Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. 23 Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good. 24A man 's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way? 25It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows. 26A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them. 27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. 28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. 29The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. 30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.
New International Version

New American Standard Bible

1Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. 2The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion; One who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. 3Avoiding strife is an honor for a person, But any fool will quarrel. 4The lazy one does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing. 5A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water, But a person of understanding draws it out. 6Many a person proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy person? 7A righteous person who walks in his integrity— How blessed are his sons after him. 8A king who sits on the throne of justice Disperses all evil with his eyes. 9Who can say, 'I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin'? 10 Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the Lord. 11It is by his deeds that a boy distinguishes himself, If his conduct is pure and right. 12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The Lord has made both of them. 13Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food. 14'Bad, bad,' says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts. 15There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But lips of knowledge are a more precious thing. 16Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger; And for foreigners, seize a pledge from him. 17Bread obtained by a lie is sweet to a person, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. 18Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance. 19One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip. 20He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness. 21An inheritance gained in a hurry at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. 22Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you. 23 Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord, And a false scale is not good. 24A man’s steps are ordained by the Lord; How then can a person understand his way? 25It is a trap for a person to say carelessly, 'It is holy!' And after the vows to make inquiry. 26A wise king scatters the wicked, And drives a threshing wheel over them. 27The spirit of a person is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the innermost parts of his being. 28 Loyalty and truth watch over the king, And he upholds his throne by loyalty. 29The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair. 30Bruising wounds clean away evil, And blows cleanse the innermost parts.
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

New King James Version

1Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 2The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life. 3 It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. 4 The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during 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 each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? 7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. 8A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”? 10 Diverse weights and diverse measures, They are both alike, an abomination to the Lord. 11Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right. 12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The Lord has made them both. 13 Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread. 14It is good for nothing,” cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts. 15There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16 Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress. 17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. 18 Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war. 19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. 20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness. 21 An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end. 22 Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you. 23Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, And dishonest scales are not good. 24A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way? 25 It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. 26 A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them. 27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. 28 Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne. 29The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head. 30Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.

What does Proverbs chapter 20 mean?

This chapter begins with an often-cited verse about the dangers of alcohol. Wise persons avoid becoming controlled by anything, including substances (1 Corinthians 6:12). Common sense tells a person to avoid angering authorities unless it's unavoidable. Along the same lines, those who avoid conflict will have a better reputation than those who are constantly involved in scandal and controversy. Loyalty and integrity are hard to find in this world, but those who have them benefit themselves and their children (Proverbs 20:1–11).

Solomon (Proverbs 10:1) also offers several reminders about the value of wisdom. It's especially important to use all the knowledge-seeking resources God gives us—including our senses, advice from others, and respect for experience. Dishonest business practices, gossip, greed, and laziness are all condemned as immoral and dangerous. God knows everything about us, and whatever evil isn't punished by righteous government will be judged by a perfect, holy God (Proverbs 20:12–30).
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