Proverbs 20

1 Wine [a luxurious thing, fermented drink] is a mocker [scorner, one who ridicules], strong drink [intoxicating liquor] is a brawler [one who is raging, noisy], and whoever is led astray [deceived, goes astray] by them is not wise [lacking good judgment, intelligent discernment]. word study 2 The terror [fear, dread] of a king [royal person, ruler] is like the roar [loud, fierce cry] of a lion [young lion, fierce animal]; whoever provokes [angers, offends] him forfeits [gives up, loses] his own life [soul, living being]. word study 3 It is [highly esteemed, a great honor] honorable for a man [a male person, individual] to resolve [to cease from, keep aloof from] a dispute [strife, quarrel], but any [every, all] fool [foolish person, one who despises wisdom] will [be meddling, be quarrelling] quarrel. word study 4 The slacker [lazy, sluggish, or idle] does not plow [to cultivate or till the soil] in season [at the proper or appointed time]; at harvest time [the time of reaping or gathering, a time of fruitfulness] he looks [or seeks, to ask or inquire], but nothing [a state of emptiness or nonexistence] is there [or exists, to be found]. word study 5 The intentions [counsel, plans, or purposes] of a man’s [human, individual] heart [mind, feelings, and will] are deep [profound, mysterious] waters [like a deep well], but a man [person, individual] of understanding [insight, wisdom, or discernment] draws [pulls out, retrieves] them out. word study 6 Many a man [a multitude of people] proclaims his loving devotion [his own goodness, kindness], but who [what person] can find a trustworthy [faithful, reliable] man? word study 7 The righteous [just, morally upright] man walks [lives, conducts himself] with integrity [in his simplicity, with moral purity]; blessed [happy, fortunate] are his children [sons, descendants] after [following, coming behind] him. word study 8 A king [royal person, ruler] who sits [to dwell, remain] on a throne [seat of power, authority] to judge [make a decision, render verdict] sifts out [scatters away, disperses] all [everything, the whole] evil [bad, morally wrong] with his eyes [source of insight, discernment]. word study 9 Who [what person, anyone] can say [declare, claim], “I have kept [preserved, guarded] my heart [inner being, conscience] pure [clean, free from sin]; I am cleansed [purified, made clean] from my sin [guilt, wrongdoing, transgression]”? word study 10 Differing [unequal, diverse] weights [stones, rocks used for measuring] and unequal [diverse, dishonest] measures [units of quantity, ephahs] — both [also, even] are [considered] detestable [an abomination, disgusting] to the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 11 Even [also, too] a young man [youth, from infancy to adolescence] is known by his actions [deeds, what he does]— whether his conduct [work, behavior] is pure [clean, free from sin] and upright [straight, just, right]. word study 12 Ears [that hear and listen, to perceive] that hear and eyes [the seeing eye, a source of perception] that see— the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has made [created, brought into existence] them both [even both of them, equally]. word study 13 Do not [refuse to, let not] love [have affection for, be enamored with] sleep [idleness, lethargy], or you will grow poor [come to poverty, be in need]; open [be observant, awaken] your eyes [sight, understanding], and you will have plenty of [be satisfied with, have an abundance of] food [bread, nourishment]. word study 14 “Worthless [bad, of poor quality], worthless [bad, of no value]!” says the buyer [the one purchasing, acquiring], but on the way out [when he is gone, after departing], he gloats [boasts, praises himself, shines with pride]. word study 15 There is [a multitude of] an abundance of gold [a valuable metal] and rubies [precious stones, jewels], but lips [the edge of the mouth, language] of knowledge [understanding, wisdom] are a rare [precious, valuable] treasure [a precious jewel, a vessel of great worth]. word study 16 Take [seize, get hold of] the garment [clothing, robe, or pledge] of the one who posts security [serves as a guarantor or surety] for a stranger [foreigner, unfamiliar person, or alien]; get collateral [a pledge, guarantee, or security] if it is for a foreigner [strange woman, outsider, or non-native]. word study 17 Food [bread, grain, or deceitful gain] gained by [through, or as a result of] fraud [deceit, falsehood, or dishonesty] is [seems, appears] sweet [pleasant, delightful, or tasty] to a man [a person, individual, or human], but [however, or afterwards] later [afterwards, or in the end] his mouth [lips, or the edge of something] is [will be, or becomes] full [filled, or complete] of [with, or containing] gravel [small stones, sharp grit, or sand]. word study 18 Set plans [with wise help] by consultation, and wage war [make battle, engage in conflict] under sound guidance [with wise planning, wise direction]. word study 19 He who reveals [uncovers, brings to light] secrets [confidential matters, intimate conversations] is a constant [habitual, persistent] gossip [talebearer, slanderer]; avoid [do not associate with, have no dealings with] the one who babbles [speaks excessively, flatters] with his lips [words, language]. word study 20 Whoever [vilifying, bringing into contempt] curses [to lighten, to bring into contempt] his father [the male parent, authority figure] or mother [the female parent, nurturer], his lamp [a candle, a light] will be extinguished [put out, consumed] in deepest [obscure, blackest] darkness [spiritual gloom, misery]. word study 21 An inheritance [something passed down] gained [obtained hastily, gotten quickly] quickly will not [absolutely not, under no circumstances] be blessed [praised, honored by God] in the [latter, final] end [conclusion, outcome]. word study 22 Do not [refrain from, let not be] say [speak or utter], “I will avenge [recompense or repay] this evil [bad or morally wrong]!” Wait [tarry or await patiently] on the LORD [Yehovah, the divine Savior], and He will save [deliver or rescue] you. word study 23 Unequal [diverse, different] weights [stones, rocks] are detestable [an abomination] to the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God], and dishonest [false, deceitful] scales [balances] are no good [pleasant, beneficial]. word study 24 A man’s [human being, Adam] steps [path, journey] are from the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], so how [what] can anyone understand [discern, comprehend] his own way [road, path, manner of life]? word study 25 It is a [snare] trap for a man [the individual, Adam] to dedicate [utter, blurt out] something rashly [without thought, inconsiderately], only later [afterwards, behind] to reconsider [enquire, investigate] his vows [promises, solemn oaths]. word study 26 A wise [intelligent, skilled, prudent] king [ruler, monarch, leader] separates out [scatters, winnows, drives away] the wicked [morally wrong, guilty, sinful] and drives the threshing wheel [a device for punishing, a means of judgment] over them [upon, above, against]. word study 27 The spirit [breath, divine spark] of a man [Adam, humanity] is the lamp [candle, guiding light] of the LORD [Yehovah], searching [examining, exploring] out his inmost being [innermost parts, deepest thoughts]. word study 28 Loving devotion [kindness, mercy, or pity] and faithfulness [truth, stability] preserve a king [royal person, ruler]; by these [upright acts, righteous deeds] he maintains his throne [seat of power, authority] [established by mercy, upheld by kindness]. word study 29 The glory [beauty, splendor] of young men [youth, chosen ones] is their strength [power, might], and gray hair [greyheaded, a long life] is the splendor [glory, majesty] of the old [elderly, wise ones]. word study 30 Lashes [wounding blows, stripes] and wounds [bruises, physical harm] scour [cleanse, remove] evil [bad, moral harm], and beatings [blows, stripes] cleanse [purge, purify] the inmost parts [innermost being, deepest areas of the heart]. word study