Proverbs 20 — FBV
20Verse 1Wine turns you into a mocker, alcohol makes you aggressive; you're stupid to be deceived+by drink.Verse 2When a king gets terribly angry, he sounds like a roaring lion; anyone who makes him furious is liable to be killed.Verse 3Avoiding conflict is the proper thing to do, but stupid people are quick to argue.Verse 4Slackers don't sow when they should, so when harvest comes they don't have anything.Verse 5Discovering what someone is planning in their mind is like looking at deep water, but a person who has understanding will find out.Verse 6Many people tell you they're loyal, but can you find someone really trustworthy?Verse 7Good people live honestly; how happy are their children if they follow them.Verse 8When a king sits in judgment he recognizes all that isn't right.Verse 9Who can claim, “I've made sure my conscience is clean; I've purified myself from sin”?Verse 10The Lord hates both dishonest weights and dishonest measures.Verse 11Even children reveal what they're like by what they do, whether their actions are good and right.Verse 12The Lord made our ears to hear and our eyes to see.Verse 13If you love sleeping you'll become poor. Wake up and get busy, and you'll have plenty to eat.Verse 14“It's really rubbish,” says the one buying, but afterwards goes and boasts to others about making a good deal.Verse 15There's gold and plenty of expensive gemstones, but talking sense is a more valuable jewel.Verse 16If someone guarantees a stranger's debt with their cloak, be sure to take it! Make sure you have whatever is pledged to foreigners!Verse 17Food you get by cheating may taste sweet, but afterwards it will be like a mouthful of gravel.Verse 18With sound advice, plans are successful; if you're going to war, make sure you have good guidance.Verse 19A gossip goes around revealing secrets; stay away from people who talk a lot.Verse 20Anyone who curses their father or mother will have their light put out and end in utter darkness.Verse 21Wealth gained too soon+won't do you any good in the end.Verse 22Don't say, “I'll get you back for doing me wrong.” Leave it to the Lord, and he'll help you.Verse 23The Lord hates incorrect weights; using dishonest scales is wrong.Verse 24The Lord shows us the way to go, so how would we decide for ourselves?Verse 25It's a mistake to make a promise to God and then have second thoughts about it later.Verse 26A wise king separates out the wicked by winnowing and punishes them by threshing.+Verse 27The Lord's light shines on the conscience, revealing our deepest thoughts.Verse 28Trustworthy love and faithfulness keep a king safe; trustworthy love supports his rule.Verse 29Young men value their strength, but the old value even more the wisdom that comes with gray hair.Verse 30Wounds and blows clean away what's evil; beatings clean what's deep down inside.