Pro 20 | HCSB | STEP | Wine is a mocker , beer is a brawler , and whoever staggers because of them is not wise .

Proverbs 20

1 Wine is a mocker, ^a beer is a brawler,

and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

2 A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself. ^b

3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, ^c
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel. ^d

4 The slacker does not plow during planting season; ^{▼▼Lit plow in winter}
at harvest time he looks, ^{▼▼Lit inquires} and there is nothing. ^g

5 Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water; ^h
but a man of understanding draws it out.

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy man? ⁱ

7 The one who lives with integrity is righteous; ^j
his children ^{▼▼Lit sons} who come after him will be happy. ^l

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge
sifts out all evil with his eyes. ^m

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”? ⁿ

10 Differing weights and varying measures ^{▼▼Lit Stone and stone, measure and measure} –
both are detestable to the Lord. ^p

11 Even a young man is known by his actions –
if his behavior is pure and upright. ^q

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye –
the Lord made them both. ^r

13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat. ^s

14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.

15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure. ^t

16 Take his garment, ^{▼▼A debtor’s outer garment was held as collateral.}
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners. ^v

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, ^w
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

18 Finalize plans with counsel, ^x
and wage war with sound guidance. ^y

19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; ^z
avoid someone with a big mouth. ^aa

20 Whoever curses his father or mother ^ab –
his lamp will go out in deep darkness. ^ac

21 An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately. ^ad

22 Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” ^ae
Wait on the Lord, ^af and He will rescue you. ^ag

23 Differing weights ^{▼▼Lit A stone and a stone} are detestable to the Lord, ^ai
and dishonest scales ^aj are unfair.

24 A man’s steps are determined by the Lord, ^ak
so how can anyone understand his own way?

25 It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly
and later to reconsider his vows. ^al

26 A wise king separates out the wicked ^am
and drives the threshing wheel ^an over them.

27 The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life, ^{▼▼Lit breath}
searching the innermost parts. ^{▼▼Lit the chambers of the belly
,} ^aq

28 Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
and the splendor of old men is gray hair. ^ar

30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil, ^as
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts. ^{▼▼Lit beatings the chambers of the belly}