Proverbs 20 Literal Standard Version

201 Wine [is] a scorner—strong drink [is] noisy, || And any going astray in it is not wise. 2 The fear of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, || He who is causing him to be angry is wronging his soul. 3 Cessation from strife is an honor to a man, || And every fool interferes. 4 The slothful does not plow because of winter, || He asks in harvest, and there is nothing. 5 Counsel in the heart of a man [is] deep water, || And a man of understanding draws it up. 6 A multitude of men each proclaim his kindness, || And a man of steadfastness who finds? 7 The righteous is habitually walking in his integrity, || O the blessedness of his sons after him! 8 A king sitting on a throne of judgment, || Is scattering all evil with his eyes, 9 Who says, “I have purified my heart, || I have been cleansed from my sin?” 10 A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah, || Even both of them [are] an abomination to YHWH. 11 Even by his actions a youth makes himself known, || Whether his work is pure or upright. 12 A hearing ear, and a seeing eye—YHWH has even made both of them. 13 Do not love sleep, lest you become poor, || Open your eyes—be satisfied [with] bread. 14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, || And then he boasts himself going his way. 15 Substance, gold, and a multitude of rubies, || Indeed, a precious vessel, [are] lips of knowledge. 16 When a stranger has been guarantor, take his garment, || And pledge it for strangers. 17 The bread of falsehood [is] sweet to a man, || And afterward his mouth is filled [with] gravel. 18 You establish purposes by counsel, || And with plans you make war. 19 The busybody is a revealer of secret counsels, || And do not make yourself guarantor for a deceiver [with] his lips. 20 Whoever is vilifying his father and his mother, his lamp is extinguished in blackness of darkness. 21 An inheritance gotten wrongly at first, || Even its latter end is not blessed. 22 Do not say, “I repay evil,” || Wait for YHWH, and He delivers you. 23 A stone and a stone [are] an abomination to YHWH, || And balances of deceit [are] not good. 24 The steps of a man [are] from YHWH, || And man—how does he understand his way? 25 A snare to a man [that] he has swallowed a holy thing, || And to make inquiry after vows. 26 A wise king is scattering the wicked, || And turns the wheel back on them. 27 The breath of man [is] a lamp of YHWH, || Searching all the inner parts of the heart. 28 Kindness and truth keep a king, || And he has supported his throne by kindness. 29 The beauty of young men is their strength, || And the honor of old men is grey hairs. 30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil, || Also the scourges of the inner parts of the heart!