| Chapter 20 |
1 | Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler; Whoever is let astray by them is not wise. |
2 | The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion: He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. |
3 | It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarreling. |
4 | The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing. |
5 | Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out. |
6 | Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, But who can find a faithful man? |
7 | A righteous man who walks in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him. |
8 | A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters away all evil with his eyes. |
9 | Who can say, 'I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?' |
10 | Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh. |
11 | Even a child makes himself known by his doings, Whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. |
12 | The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them. |
13 | Don't love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread. |
14 | 'It's no good, it's no good,' says the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasts. |
15 | There is gold and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel. |
16 | Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; And hold him in pledge for a wayward woman. |
17 | Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, But afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel. |
18 | Plans are established by advice; By wise guidance you wage war! |
19 | He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; Therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips. |
20 | Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness. |
21 | An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, Won't be blessed in the end. |
22 | Don't say, 'I will pay back evil.' Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you. |
23 | Yahweh detests differing weights, And dishonest scales are not pleasing. |
24 | A man's steps are from Yahweh; How then can man understand his way? |
25 | It is a snare to a man make a rash dedication, And later reconsider his vows. |
26 | A wise king winnows out the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them. |
27 | The spirit of man is Yahweh's lamp, Searching all his innermost parts. |
28 | Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love. |
29 | The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair. |
30 | Wounding blows cleanse away evil, And beatings purge the innermost parts. |