Proverbs 20

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

1Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith, shall not be wise.

2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.

2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.

2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

2As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.

3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.

3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.

3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

3It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.

4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

4Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.

5Counsel in the heart of man islikedeep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.

5Counsel in the heart of man islikedeep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.

5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

5Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.

6Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?

6Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?

6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

6Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?

7A righteous man that walketh in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him.

7A righteous man that walketh in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him.

7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

7The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.

8A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

8A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

8The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.

9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

9Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?

10Diverse weights, and diverse measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

10Diverse weights, and diverse measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.

10Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.

11Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

11Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

11By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.

12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.

12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.

12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.

12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.

13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

13Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.

14It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

14It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

14It is naught, it is naught, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.

15There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

15There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

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 the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.

16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for foreigners.

16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for foreigners.

16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

16Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.

17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

17The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

18Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.

18Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.

18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

18Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.

19He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.

19He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.

19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

19Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.

20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

20He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.

21An inheritancemay be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed.

21An inheritancemay be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed.

21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

21The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.

22Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.

22Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.

22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

22Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord, and he will deliver thee.

23Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; And a false balance is not good.

23Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; And a false balance is not good.

23Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.

23Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.

24A man’s goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?

24A man’s goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?

24Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?

24The steps of men are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?

25It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry.

25It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry.

25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

25It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.

26A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the threshing-wheel over them.

26A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the threshing-wheel over them.

26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.

27The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts.

27The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts.

27The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.

28Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.

28Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.

28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

28Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.

29The glory of young men is their strength; And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

29The glory of young men is their strength; And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

29The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.

30Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokesreachthe innermost parts.

30Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokesreachthe innermost parts.

30The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

30The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.