Proverbs 20 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 20 ▼
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BSB
Berean Standard Bible
ESV
English Standard Version
KJV
King James Version
NIV
New International Version
NLT
New Living Translation
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life. The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives. The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.
3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel. It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there. The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.
5 The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.
6 Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man? Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?
7 The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him. The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
8 A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes. A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”? Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”? Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin|? Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?
10 Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD. Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD. Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. Differing weights and differing measures— the LORD detests them both. False weights and unequal measures— the LORD detests double standards of every kind.
11 Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright. Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both. Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the LORD.
13 Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food. Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!
14 “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats. “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts. It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase. The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!
15 There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure. There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.
16 Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner. 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. Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.
17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel. Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.
18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance. Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.
19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.
20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness. If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.
21 An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end. An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.
22 Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you. Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.
23 Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good. Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good. Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.
24 A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way? A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way? Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way? The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows. It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry. It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.
26 A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them. A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being. The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts. The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being. The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
28 Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne. Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old. The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.
30 Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts. Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts. The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being. Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.
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