1750 Challoner Revision of the Douay-Rheims (DR)

Proverbs 20

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

 20:1 ¶ Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith, shall not be wise.

 20:2 As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.

 20:3 It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.

 20:4 Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.

 20:5 Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.

 20:6 Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?

 20:7 The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.

 20:8 The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.

 20:9 Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?

 20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.

 20:11 By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.

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

 20:13 Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.

 20:14 It is naught, it is naught, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.

 20:15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.

 20:16 Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.

 20:17 The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

 20:18 Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.

 20:19 Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.

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

 20:21 The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.

 20:22 Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord, and he will deliver thee.

 20:23 Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.

 20:24 The steps of men are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?

 20:25 It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.

 20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.

 20:27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.

 20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.

 20:29 The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.

 20:30 The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.