Proverbs 20
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King James BibleHolman Christian Standard Bible
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.1Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them 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.2A king's terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion; anyone who provokes him endangers himself.
3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.
4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.4The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.
5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.5Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a man of understanding draws it out.
6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?6Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.7The one who lives with integrity is righteous; his children who come after him will be happy.
8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.8A king sitting on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?9Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin"?
10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.10Differing weights and varying measures-- both are detestable to the LORD.
11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.11Even a young man is known by his actions-- if his behavior is pure and upright.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.12The hearing ear and the seeing eye-- the LORD made them both.
13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.13Don't love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you'll have enough to eat."
14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.14It's worthless, it's worthless!" the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.
15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.15There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.
16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.16Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.
17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.
18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.18Finalize plans with counsel, and wage war with sound guidance.
19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.19The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.
20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.20Whoever curses his father or mother-- his lamp will go out in deep darkness.
21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.21An inheritance gained prematurely will not be blessed ultimately.
22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.22Don't say, "I will avenge this evil!" Wait on the LORD, and He will rescue you.
23Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.23Differing weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are unfair.
24Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?24A man's steps are determined by the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.25It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows.
26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.27The LORD's lamp sheds light on a person's life, searching the innermost parts.
28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.28Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king; through loyalty he maintains his throne.
29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.29The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair.
30The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.30Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 19
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