1901 American Standard Version (ASV)

1 From this chapter to the five and twentieth are sundry observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices.

20:1 ¶ Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.

20:2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own life.

20:3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.

20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is [like] deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.

20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?

20:7 A righteous man that walketh in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him.

20:8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

20:10 Diverse weights, and diverse measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

20:11 Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.

20:13 Love not sleep, let thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

20:14 It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

20:15 There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

20:16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [that is surety] for foreigners.

20:17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.

20:19 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.

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

20:21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed.

20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.

20:23 Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; And a false balance is not good.

20:24 A man's goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?

20:25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say, [It is] holy, And after vows to make inquiry.

20:26 A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the [threshing]-wheel over them.

20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts.

20:28 Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.

20:29 The glory of young men is their strength; And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

20:30 Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokes [reach] the innermost parts.