1 Wine is a mocker,  * 20:1 Gn 9:21; Pr 23:29–30; Is 28:7; Hs 4:11 beer is a brawler;

whoever goes astray  * 20:1 Or 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.  * 20:2 Nm 16:38; Est 4:11; Pr 8:36; 19:12; 28:15; Hab 2:10

3 Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,  * 20:3 Pr 17:14

but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.  * 20:3 Pr 15:18; 18:6; 22:10

4 The slacker does not plow during planting season;  * 20:4 Lit plow in winter

at harvest time he looks,  * 20:4 Litinquires and there is nothing.  * 20:4 Pr 24:27,30–34

5 Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water;  * 20:5 Pr 18:4

but a person of understanding draws it out.

6 Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,

but who can find a trustworthy person?  * 20:6 Ps 53:2–3; Pr 28:20; Ec 7:28; Lk 18:8

7 A righteous person acts with integrity;  * 20:7 Pr 2:7,20–21; 10:9; 13:6

his children who come after him will be happy.  * 20:7 Ps 37:26; 112:2

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge

separates out all evil with his eyes.  * 20:8 Pr 20:26; 25:5; Mt 25:32

9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure;

I am cleansed from my sin"?  * 20:9 1Kg 8:46; Jb 15:15–16; Ps 14:2–3; Ec 7:20; Rm 3:9–12; 1Jn 1:8

10 Differing weights and varying measures  * 20:10 Lit Stone and stone, measure and measure  —

both are detestable to the  Lord.  * 20:10 Dt 25:14–15; Pr 11:1; 20:23; Mc 6:10–11

11 Even a young man is known by his actions —

by whether his behavior is pure and upright.  * 20:11 Pr 21:8; Mt 7:16

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye —

the Lord made them both.  * 20:12 Ex 4:11; Ps 94:9; Pr 22:2; 29:13

13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;

open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.  * 20:13 Pr 6:10–11; 19:15; 24:33–34

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.  * 20:15 Pr 3:15; 8:11

16 Take his garment,

for he has put up security for a stranger;

get collateral if it is for foreigners.  * 20:16 Dt 24:12–13; Pr 6:1–5; 11:15; 27:13

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person,  * 20:17 Pr 9:17

but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.  * 20:17 Lm 3:16

18 Finalize plans with counsel,  * 20:18 Pr 11:14; 15:22

and wage war with sound guidance.  * 20:18 Pr 24:6; Lk 14:31

19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;  * 20:19 Lv 19:16; Pr 11:13

avoid someone with a big mouth.  * 20:19 Pr 13:3

20 Whoever curses his father or mother  * 20:20 Ex 21:17; Pr 24:20; 30:11  —

his lamp will go out in deep darkness.  * 20:20 Jb 18:5

21 An inheritance gained prematurely

will not be blessed ultimately.  * 20:21 Pr 21:5; 23:5; 28:22; Lk 15:11–13

22 Don’t say, "I will avenge this evil! "  * 20:22 Pr 24:29; Mt 5:39; Rm 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pt 3:9

Wait on the Lord,  * 20:22 Ps 27:14 and he will rescue you.  * 20:22 Ps 37:7–9

23 Differing weights  * 20:23 Lit A stone and a stone are detestable to the  Lord,  * 20:23 Pr 20:10; Mc 6:11

and dishonest scales  * 20:23 Pr 11:1 are unfair.

24 Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the  Lord,  * 20:24 Pr 16:9,33; 19:21

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.  * 20:25 Nm 30:2; Dt 23:21; Ec 5:4–6

26 A wise king separates out the wicked  * 20:26 Pr 20:8

and drives the threshing wheel  * 20:26 Is 28:27 over them.

27 The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,  * 20:27 Lit breath

searching the innermost parts.  * 20:27 Lit the chambers of the belly,* 20:27 Ps 139:23; Pr 20:30; 1Co 2:11

28 Loyalty and faithfulness guard 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.  * 20:29 Lv 19:32; Pr 16:31

30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil,  * 20:30 Is 53:5

and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.  * 20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly