ProPr ProverbsProverbi, chaptercapitolo Proverbs of SolomonProverbi di Salomone, chaptercapitolo 20

On Life and Conduct

Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink a brawler,

And whoever (a)20:1 Lit errsis intoxicated by it is not wise.Isa 28:7; Eph 5:18

The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;

One who provokes him to anger (b)20:2 Lit sins againstforfeits his own life.Pro 19:12

Avoiding strife is an honor for a person,

But any fool will (c)20:3 Lit burst outquarrel.

The (d)20:4 Lit idlelazy one does not plow after the autumn,

So he (e)20:4 Lit asksbegs during the harvest and has nothing.

A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water,

But a person of understanding draws it out.Pro 18:4

Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,

But who can find a trustworthy person?Mat 6:2; Luk 18:8

A righteous person who walks in his integrity—

How blessed are his sons after him.Deu 7:13

A king who sits on the throne of justice

(f)20:8 Or SiftsDisperses all evil with his eyes.

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,

I am pure from my sin”?1Ki 8:46; 2Ch 6:36; Job 14:4; Psa 51:5; 1Jn 1:8

(g)20:10 Lit A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephahDiffering weights and differing measures,

Both of them are abominable to the Lord.Pro 11:1

It is by his deeds that a boy (h)20:11 Or makes himself knowndistinguishes himself,

If his conduct is pure and right.

The hearing ear and the seeing eye,

The Lord has made both of them.Exo 4:11; Psa 94:9

Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;

Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with (i)20:13 Lit breadfood.

“Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

There is gold, and an abundance of (j)20:15 Or coralsjewels;

But lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger;

And for foreigners, seize a pledge from him.Pro 27:13

Bread obtained by a lie is sweet to a person,

But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

Prepare plans by consultation,

And make war by wise guidance.

One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets;

Therefore do not associate with (k)20:19 Lit one who opens his lipsa gossip.Pro 11:13

He who curses his father or his mother,

His lamp will go out in time of darkness.Exo 21:17; Lev 20:9; Mat 15:4; Mrk 7:10

An inheritance gained in a hurry at the beginning

Will not be blessed in the end.

Do not say, “I will repay evil”;

Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.Pro 17:13

(l)20:23 Lit A stone and a stoneDiffering weights are an abomination to the Lord,

And a (m)20:23 Lit balance of deceitfalse scale is not good.

A man’s steps are ordained by the Lord;

How then can a person understand his way?Psa 37:23

It is a trap for a person to say carelessly, “It is holy!”

And after the vows to make inquiry.Act 5:4

A wise king scatters the wicked,

And (n)20:26 Lit turnsdrives a threshing wheel over them.Pro 20:8

The (o)20:27 Lit breathspirit of a person is the lamp of the Lord,

Searching all the (p)20:27 Lit chambers of the bodyinnermost parts of his being.

(q)20:28 I.e., covenant loyaltyLoyalty and truth watch over the king,

And he upholds his throne by (r)20:28 I.e., covenant loyaltyloyalty.Pro 16:12

The glory of young men is their strength,

And the (s)20:29 Or splendorhonor of old men is their gray hair.Pro 16:31

Bruising wounds clean away evil,

And blows cleanse the (t)20:30 Lit chambers of the bodyinnermost parts.