Proverbios 20

¹ Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shall not be wise. ² As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul. ³ It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches. ⁴ Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him. ⁵ Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out. ⁶ Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man? ⁷ The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children. ⁸ The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look. ⁹ Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin? ¹⁰ Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God. ¹¹ By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right. ¹² The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both. ¹³ Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread. ¹⁴ It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast. ¹⁵ There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel. ¹⁶ Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers. ¹⁷ The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. ¹⁸ Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments. ¹⁹ Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips. ²⁰ He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness. ²¹ The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing. ²² Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee. ²³ Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good. ²⁴ The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way? ²⁵ It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract. ²⁶ A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel. ²⁷ The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels. ²⁸ Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency. ²⁹ The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs. ³⁰ The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.