Proverbs 20
20
On Life and Conduct
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler;
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. [Prov 23:29, 30; Is 28:7; Hos 4:11]
2The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight],
But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].
4The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives;
So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].
5A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well,
But a man of understanding draws it out. [Prov 18:4]
6Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness,
But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?
7The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs—
How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].
8A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment
Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].
9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin?” [1 Kin 8:46; 2 Chr 6:36; Job 9:30; 14:4; Ps 51:5; 1 John 1:8]
10Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures,
Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord. [Deut 25:13; Mic 6:10, 11]
11Even a boy is known and distinguished by his acts,
Whether his conduct is pure and right.
12The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The [omnipotent] Lord has made both of them.
13Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread.
14“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price];
But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].
15There is gold, and an abundance of pearls,
But the lips of knowledge are a vessel of preciousness [the most precious of all]. [Job 28:12, 16-19; Prov 3:15; 8:11]
16[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.” [Prov 27:13]
17Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair].
18Plans are established by counsel;
So make war [only] with wise guidance.
19He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters]. [Rom 16:17, 18]
20Whoever curses his father or his mother,
His lamp [of life] will be extinguished in time of darkness.
21An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end. [Prov 28:20; Hab 2:6]
22Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you. [Deut 32:35; 2 Sam 16:12; Rom 12:17-19; 1 Thess 5:15; 1 Pet 3:9]
23Differing weights are detestable and offensive to the Lord,
And fraudulent scales are not good.
24Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the Lord.
How then can a man [fully] understand his way?
25It is a trap for a man to [#20:25 Such a vow would single out an item for sacrifice or for the use of the temple or the priests. The classic example of a careless vow was Jephthah’s promise to sacrifice to the Lord whatever came out of his house to meet him on his return from a successful battle (Judg 11:30-35).speak a vow of consecration and] say rashly, “It is holy!”
And [not until] afterward consider [whether he can fulfill it].
26A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good]
And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].
27The #20:27 Lit breath.spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being. [1 Cor 2:11]
28Loyalty and mercy, truth and faithfulness, protect the king,
And he upholds his throne by lovingkindness.
29The glory of young men is their [physical] strength,
And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].
30Blows that wound cleanse away evil,
And strokes reach to the innermost parts.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 20: AMP
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Amplified® Bible
Copyright © 2015 by
The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org
Proverbs 20
20
On Life and Conduct
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler;
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. [Prov 23:29, 30; Is 28:7; Hos 4:11]
2The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight],
But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].
4The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives;
So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].
5A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well,
But a man of understanding draws it out. [Prov 18:4]
6Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness,
But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?
7The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs—
How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].
8A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment
Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].
9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin?” [1 Kin 8:46; 2 Chr 6:36; Job 9:30; 14:4; Ps 51:5; 1 John 1:8]
10Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures,
Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord. [Deut 25:13; Mic 6:10, 11]
11Even a boy is known and distinguished by his acts,
Whether his conduct is pure and right.
12The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The [omnipotent] Lord has made both of them.
13Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread.
14“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price];
But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].
15There is gold, and an abundance of pearls,
But the lips of knowledge are a vessel of preciousness [the most precious of all]. [Job 28:12, 16-19; Prov 3:15; 8:11]
16[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.” [Prov 27:13]
17Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair].
18Plans are established by counsel;
So make war [only] with wise guidance.
19He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters]. [Rom 16:17, 18]
20Whoever curses his father or his mother,
His lamp [of life] will be extinguished in time of darkness.
21An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end. [Prov 28:20; Hab 2:6]
22Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you. [Deut 32:35; 2 Sam 16:12; Rom 12:17-19; 1 Thess 5:15; 1 Pet 3:9]
23Differing weights are detestable and offensive to the Lord,
And fraudulent scales are not good.
24Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the Lord.
How then can a man [fully] understand his way?
25It is a trap for a man to [#20:25 Such a vow would single out an item for sacrifice or for the use of the temple or the priests. The classic example of a careless vow was Jephthah’s promise to sacrifice to the Lord whatever came out of his house to meet him on his return from a successful battle (Judg 11:30-35).speak a vow of consecration and] say rashly, “It is holy!”
And [not until] afterward consider [whether he can fulfill it].
26A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good]
And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].
27The #20:27 Lit breath.spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being. [1 Cor 2:11]
28Loyalty and mercy, truth and faithfulness, protect the king,
And he upholds his throne by lovingkindness.
29The glory of young men is their [physical] strength,
And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].
30Blows that wound cleanse away evil,
And strokes reach to the innermost parts.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Amplified® Bible
Copyright © 2015 by
The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org