Proverbs 20 - Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

20 Wine is a mocker,(A) beer is a brawler;
whoever goes astray[a] because of them is not wise.

2 A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.(B)

3 Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,(C)
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.(D)

4 The slacker does not plow during planting season;[b]
at harvest time he looks,[c] and there is nothing.(E)

5 Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water;(F)
but a person of understanding draws it out.

6 Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy person?(G)

7 A righteous person acts with integrity;(H)
his children who come after him will be happy.(I)

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge
separates out all evil with his eyes.(J)

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”?(K)

10 Differing weights and varying measures[d]
both are detestable to the Lord.(L)

11 Even a young man is known by his actions—
by whether his behavior is pure and upright.(M)

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
the Lord made them both.(N)

13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.(O)

14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.

15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.(P)

16 Take his garment,
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.(Q)

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person,(R)
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.(S)

18 Finalize plans with counsel,(T)
and wage war with sound guidance.(U)

19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;(V)
avoid someone with a big mouth.(W)

20 Whoever curses his father or mother(X)
his lamp will go out in deep darkness.(Y)

21 An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.(Z)

22 Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” (AA)
Wait on the Lord,(AB) and he will rescue you.(AC)

23 Differing weights[e] are detestable to the Lord,(AD)
and dishonest scales(AE) are unfair.

24 Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord,(AF)
so how can anyone understand his own way?

25 It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly
and later to reconsider his vows.(AG)

26 A wise king separates out the wicked(AH)
and drives the threshing wheel(AI) over them.

27 The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,[f]
searching the innermost parts.[g](AJ)

28 Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
and the splendor of old men is gray hair.(AK)

30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil,(AL)
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.[h]

Footnotes

  1. 20:1 Or whoever staggers
  2. 20:4 Lit plow in winter
  3. 20:4 Lit inquires
  4. 20:10 Lit Stone and stone, measure and measure
  5. 20:23 Lit A stone and a stone
  6. 20:27 Lit breath
  7. 20:27 Lit the chambers of the belly
  8. 20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly

Cross references

  1. 20:1 : Gn 9:21; Pr 23:29–30; Is 28:7; Hs 4:11
  2. 20:2 : Nm 16:38; Est 4:11; Pr 8:36; 19:12; 28:15; Hab 2:10
  3. 20:3 : Pr 17:14
  4. 20:3 : Pr 15:18; 18:6; 22:10
  5. 20:4 : Pr 24:27,30–34
  6. 20:5 : Pr 18:4
  7. 20:6 : Ps 53:2–3; Pr 28:20; Ec 7:28; Lk 18:8
  8. 20:7 : Pr 2:7,20–21; 10:9; 13:6
  9. 20:7 : Ps 37:26; 112:2
  10. 20:8 : Pr 20:26; 25:5; Mt 25:32
  11. 20:9 : 1Kg 8:46; Jb 15:15–16; Ps 14:2–3; Ec 7:20; Rm 3:9–12; 1Jn 1:8
  12. 20:10 : Dt 25:14–15; Pr 11:1; 20:23; Mc 6:10–11
  13. 20:11 : Pr 21:8; Mt 7:16
  14. 20:12 : Ex 4:11; Ps 94:9; Pr 22:2; 29:13
  15. 20:13 : Pr 6:10–11; 19:15; 24:33–34
  16. 20:15 : Pr 3:15; 8:11
  17. 20:16 : Dt 24:12–13; Pr 6:1–5; 11:15; 27:13
  18. 20:17 : Pr 9:17
  19. 20:17 : Lm 3:16
  20. 20:18 : Pr 11:14; 15:22
  21. 20:18 : Pr 24:6; Lk 14:31
  22. 20:19 : Lv 19:16; Pr 11:13
  23. 20:19 : Pr 13:3
  24. 20:20 : Ex 21:17; Pr 24:20; 30:11
  25. 20:20 : Jb 18:5
  26. 20:21 : Pr 21:5; 23:5; 28:22; Lk 15:11–13
  27. 20:22 : Pr 24:29; Mt 5:39; Rm 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pt 3:9
  28. 20:22 : Ps 27:14
  29. 20:22 : Ps 37:7–9
  30. 20:23 : Pr 20:10; Mc 6:11
  31. 20:23 : Pr 11:1
  32. 20:24 : Pr 16:9,33; 19:21
  33. 20:25 : Nm 30:2; Dt 23:21; Ec 5:4–6
  34. 20:26 : Pr 20:8
  35. 20:26 : Is 28:27
  36. 20:27 : Ps 139:23; Pr 20:30; 1Co 2:11
  37. 20:29 : Lv 19:32; Pr 16:31
  38. 20:30 : Is 53:5

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20 Wine is a lecherous thing, and drunkenness is full of noise; whoever delighteth in these, shall not be wise. 2 As the roaring of a lion, so and the dread of a king (and so the king’s wrath); he that stirreth him to ire, sinneth against his (own) soul. 3 It is honour to a man that separateth himse...
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Proverbs 20 - World English Bible (WEB)

20 Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.4 The sluggard will no...
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Proverbs 20 - The Voice (VOICE)

20 Too much wine begins to mock you, too much strong drink leads to noisy fights, and whoever is misled by either is not wise.2 A king’s wrath strikes fear like a lion’s roar; those who provoke him to anger sentence themselves to death.3 Honor is due those who refuse to fight at the drop of a hat, b...
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Proverbs 20 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler.Whoever is led astray by them is unwise. 2 The terror of a king is like a lion’s growl.Whoever provokes him endangers his life. 3 It is honor for one to resolve a dispute,yet every fool quarrels. 4 A slacker will not plow in season,so at harvest he looks b...
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Proverbs 20 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.2 The dread wrath of a king is like the growling of a lion; he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.4 The sluggard d...
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Proverbs 20 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.2 The dread wrath of a king is like the growling of a lion; he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.4 The sluggard d...
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Proverbs 20 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.2 The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion; anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.3 It is honourable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.4 The lazy person d...
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Proverbs 20 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.(A)2 The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion; anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.(B)3 It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.(C)4 The lazy ...
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Proverbs 20 - New Living Translation (NLT)

20 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise. 2 The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life. 3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. 4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season will hav...
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Proverbs 20 - New Life Version (NLV)

20 Wine makes people act in a foolish way. Strong drink starts fights. Whoever is fooled by it is not wise. 2 The anger of a king is like the noise of a lion. He who makes him angry gives up his own life. 3 It is an honor for a man to keep away from fighting, but any fool will argue. 4 The lazy man ...
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Proverbs 20 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Wine Is a Mocker20 Wine (A)is a mocker,Strong drink is a brawler,And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 2 The [a]wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life. 3 (B)It is honorable for a man to stop striving,Since any fool can start a qua...
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Proverbs 20 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

20 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives. 3 It is to one’s honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. 4 Sluggards do not plough in season; so at...
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Proverbs 20 - New International Version (NIV)

20 Wine(A) is a mocker(B) and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray(C) by them is not wise.(D) 2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(E) those who anger him forfeit their lives.(F) 3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool(G) is quick to quarrel.(H) 4 Sluggards(I) do n...
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Proverbs 20 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

20 Wine causes you to make fun of others, and beer causes you to start fights. Anyone who is led astray by them is not wise. 2 A king’s anger brings terror like a lion’s roar. Anyone who makes him angry may lose their life. 3 Avoiding a fight brings honor to a person. But every foolish person is qui...
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Proverbs 20 - New English Translation (NET)

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