Proverbs

20 Wine is a scoffer and strong drink a brawler, Every one therefore who erreth therein is unwise.

2 The growl as of a young lion is the dread inspired by a king, He that provoketh him endangereth his own life.

3 Honour hath the man who sitteth away from strife, But any fool may break through.

4 By reason of the autumn a sluggard will not plough, Therefore shall he beg in harvest, and there be nothing.

5 Deep water is counsel in a man’s heart, But a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 A kind man one may call a great man,—But a faithful man who can find?

7 As for a righteous man walking in his integrity How happy are his children after him!

8 A king sitting on the throne of judgment Scattereth with his eyes all wrong.

9 Who can say, I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?

10 Divers weights and divers measures An abomination to Yahweh are they both.

11 Even by his doings doth a youth make himself known, Whether pure and upright be his work.

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye Yahweh hath made them both.

13 Do not love sleep lest thou come to poverty, Open thine eyes, be satisfied with bread.

14 Bad! bad! saith the buyer, But going his way then he boasteth.

15 There are gold and an abundance of corals, But precious jewels are the lips of knowledge.

16 Take his garment who is pledge for a stranger,—Then for a woman unknown accept him as surety.

17 Sweet to a man may be the bread of falsehood, But afterward shall his mouth be filled with gravel.

18 Plans—by counsel shalt thou establish, And with concerted measures make thou war.

19 A revealer of secrets is one who goeth about talebearing, Therefore with him who openeth his lips shalt thou not have fellowship.

20 Whoso revileth his father or his mother His lamp shall be put out in deep darkness.

21 An inheritance hastily gotten at the beginning The latter end thereof shall not bring blessing.

22 Do not say, I will requite wrong! Wait thou for Yahweh that he may save thee.

23 An abomination to Yahweh are divers weights, And deceptive balances are not good.

24 From Yahweh are a man’s steps, A son of earth then—how can he discern his way?

25 It is a snare to a man that he should rashly cry Holy! And after making vows to reflect!

26 A wise king winnoweth out the lawless, When he hath turned over them the wheel.

27 The lamp of Yahweh is the spirit of a son of earth, Searching all the chambers of the inner man.

28 Lovingkindness and faithfulness will guard a king,—Therefore should he support with lovingkindness his throne.

29 The beauty of young men is their strength, And the ornament of old men a hoary head.

30 Blows that cut in cleanse away wickedness, And smitings [enter] the chambers of the inner man.