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Second Edition · Explore Scripture, one passage at a time.
20:1 Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise. 20:2 The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself. 20:3 It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels. 20:4 The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he asks for grain but has nothing. 20:5 Counsel in a person’s heart is like deep water, but an understanding person draws it out. 20:6 Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person —who can find? 20:7 The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him. 20:8 A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes. 20:9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart clean; I am pure from my sin”? 20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures — the Lord abhors both of them. 20:11 Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right. 20:12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees — the Lord has made them both. 20:13 Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food. 20:14 “It’s worthless! It’s worthless!” says the buyer, but when he goes on his way, he boasts. 20:15 There is gold and an abundance of rubies, but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel. 20:16 Take a man’s garment when he has given security for a stranger, and hold him in pledge on behalf of strangers. 20:17 Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. 20:18 Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance. 20:19 The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth. 20:20 The one who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness. 20:21 An inheritance gained easily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. 20:22 Do not say, “I will pay back evil!” Wait for the Lord, so that he may vindicate you. 20:23 The Lord abhors differing weights, and dishonest scales are wicked. 20:24 The steps of a person are ordained by the Lord— so how can anyone understand his own way? 20:25 It is a snare for a person to rashly cry, “Holy!” and only afterward to consider what he has vowed. 20:26 A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them. 20:27 The human spirit is like the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. 20:28 Loyal love and truth preserve a king, and his throne is upheld by loyal love. 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair. 20:30 Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil, and floggings cleanse the innermost being.
NET Bible Second Edition. Copyright 2017 Biblical Studies Press
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