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Book of Mishlei (Proverbs): Chapter 20

20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

20:2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he 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 goodness: but a faithful man who can find? 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

20:8 A king that sitteth in 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 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

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

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

20:13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

20:14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

20:15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

20:16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

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

20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

20:20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure 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; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

20:23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

20:24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? 20:25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

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

20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.


Sources: Portions copyright © 1997 by Benyamin Pilant, All Rights Reserved
JPS Electronic Edition Copyright © 1998 by Larry Nelson, All Rights Reserved
Jewish Bible