‏ Proverbs 20

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. 2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life. 3It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife: but every fool will be quarrelling. 4The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing. 5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6Most men wilt proclaim every one his own kindness: but a faithful man who can find? 7A just man that walketh in his integrity, blessed are his children after him. 8A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. 9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? 10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. 11Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. 12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. 13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 15There is gold, and abundance of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for strangers. 17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 18Every purpose is established by counsel: and by wise guidance make thou war, 19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips. 20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness. 21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 22Say not thou, I will recompense evil: wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. 23Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good. 24A man’s goings are of the LORD; how then can man understand his way? 25It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, and after vows to make inquiry. 26A wise king winnoweth the wicked, and bringeth the threshing wheel over them. 27The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the innermost parts of the belly. 28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. 29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the hoary head. 30Stripes that wound cleanse away evil: and strokes reach the innermost parts of the belly.

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