20 Wine is a mocker; beer a carouser.
Those it leads astray won’t become wise.
2 A king is as terrifying as a lion’s growl.
Those who anger him may lose their life.
3 It is honorable to back off from a fight,
but fools jump right in.
4 The lazy don’t plow during winter;
at harvest they look but find nothing.
5 Advice comes from the deep waters of the heart;
those with understanding can draw it out.
6 Many people will say that they are loyal,
but who can find a reliable person?
7 The righteous live with integrity;
happy are their children who come after them.
8 A king who sits on his judgment throne
sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I’m innocent to the core;
I’m cleansed from my sin”?
10 False weights and measures—
the Lord detests them both.
11 Even young people are known by their actions,
whether their conduct is pure and upright.
12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—
the Lord made them both.
13 Don’t love sleep or you will be poor;
stay alert and you will have plenty to eat.
14 The buyer says, “Bad, bad,”
but then goes away and brags.
15 Much gold and many pearls exist,
but wise speech is the most precious jewel.
16 Take the garment of the person who secures a loan for a stranger;
take his pledge for a foreigner.
17 Stolen bread is sweet,
but afterward the mouth is full of gravel.
18 Plans are firmed up by advice;
wage wars with good guidance.
19 Gossips reveal secrets;
don’t associate with those who talk too much.
20 Those who curse their father or mother—
their lamp will be snuffed out when it becomes dark.
21 Inheritance gained quickly at first
won’t bless later on.
22 Don’t say, “I’ll repay the evildoer!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will save you.
23 The Lord detests false weights;
deceptive scales aren’t right.
24 A person’s steps are from the Lord;
how then can people understand their path?
25 It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
and only reflect after making the promise.
26 A wise king sifts out the wicked,
and runs them over with a wheel.
27 The breath of a person is the lamp of the Lord,
searching all the inmost parts.
28 Kindness and faithfulness protect the king;
he supports his throne by kindness.
29 Strength is the glory of young men;
gray hair is the splendor of old age.
30 Blows and bruises remove evil;
beatings cleanse the inner parts.