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Proverbs 20
New International Version

20 Wine(A) is a mocker(B) and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray(C) by them is not wise.(D)

2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(E)
those who anger him forfeit their lives.(F)

3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool(G) is quick to quarrel.(H)

4 Sluggards(I) do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.(J)

5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(K)
but one who has insight draws them out.

6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?(L)

7 The righteous lead blameless lives;(M)
blessed are their children after them.(N)

8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,(O)
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.(P)

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;(Q)
I am clean and without sin”?(R)

10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.(S)

11 Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure(T) and upright?

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.(U)

13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;(V)
stay awake and you will have food to spare.

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge(W) if it is done for an outsider.(X)

17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,(Y)
but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.(Z)

18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(AA)

19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(AB)
so avoid anyone who talks too much.

20 If someone curses their father or mother,(AC)
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.(AD)

21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.

22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(AE)
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(AF)

23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.(AG)

24 A person’s steps are directed(AH) by the Lord.(AI)
How then can anyone understand their own way?(AJ)

25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.(AK)

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.(AL)

27 The human spirit is[a] the lamp of the Lord(AM)
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.(AN)

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love(AO) his throne is made secure.(AP)

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.(AQ)

30 Blows and wounds scrub(AR) away evil,
and beatings(AS) purge the inmost being.

#### Footnotes

1. Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are

#### Cross references

1. Proverbs 20:1 : S Lev 10:9; Hab 2:5
2. Proverbs 20:1 : S 1Sa 25:36
3. Proverbs 20:1 : 1Ki 20:16
4. Proverbs 20:1 : Pr 31:4
5. Proverbs 20:2 : S Pr 19:12
6. Proverbs 20:2 : S Est 7:7; S Pr 16:14
7. Proverbs 20:3 : S 1Sa 25:25
8. Proverbs 20:3 : S Ge 13:8
9. Proverbs 20:4 : S Pr 6:6
10. Proverbs 20:4 : Ecc 10:18
11. Proverbs 20:5 : S Ps 18:16
12. Proverbs 20:6 : Ps 12:1
13. Proverbs 20:7 : S Ps 26:1
14. Proverbs 20:7 : Ps 37:25-26; 112:2
15. Proverbs 20:8 : S 1Ki 7:7
16. Proverbs 20:8 : ver 26; Pr 25:4-5
17. Proverbs 20:9 : S Job 15:14
18. Proverbs 20:9 : 1Ki 8:46; Ecc 7:20; 1Jn 1:8
19. Proverbs 20:10 : ver 23; S Pr 11:1
20. Proverbs 20:11 : S Ps 39:1
21. Proverbs 20:12 : S Ps 94:9
22. Proverbs 20:13 : S Pr 6:11; S 19:15
23. Proverbs 20:16 : S Ex 22:26
24. Proverbs 20:16 : Pr 27:13
25. Proverbs 20:17 : Pr 9:17
26. Proverbs 20:17 : Job 20:14; La 3:16
27. Proverbs 20:18 : Pr 11:14; 24:6
28. Proverbs 20:19 : Pr 11:13
29. Proverbs 20:20 : Pr 30:11
30. Proverbs 20:20 : Ex 21:17; S Job 18:5
31. Proverbs 20:22 : Pr 24:29
32. Proverbs 20:22 : Isa 37:20; Jer 1:19; 42:11; Ro 12:19
33. Proverbs 20:23 : S ver 10; S Dt 25:13
34. Proverbs 20:24 : S Ps 90:12
35. Proverbs 20:24 : S Job 33:29
36. Proverbs 20:24 : S Pr 19:21; Jer 10:23
37. Proverbs 20:25 : S Pr 10:19; 18:13; Ecc 5:2, 4-5; Jer 44:25
38. Proverbs 20:26 : S ver 8
39. Proverbs 20:27 : S Ps 119:105
40. Proverbs 20:27 : S Pr 16:2
41. Proverbs 20:28 : Ps 40:11
42. Proverbs 20:28 : S Pr 16:12; Isa 16:5
43. Proverbs 20:29 : Pr 16:31
44. Proverbs 20:30 : S Ps 51:2; Pr 22:15
45. Proverbs 20:30 : Isa 1:5

New International Version (NIV)

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