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20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
20:2  The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
20:3  It 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].
20:4  The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives; So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].
20:5  A 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.
20:6  Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness, But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?
20:7  The 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].
20:8  A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].
20:9  Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?”
20:10  Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures, Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord.
20:11  Even a boy is known and distinguished by his acts, Whether his conduct is pure and right.
20:12  The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The [omnipotent] Lord has made both of them.
20:13  Do 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.
20:14  “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].
20:15  There is gold, and an abundance of pearls, But the lips of knowledge are a vessel of preciousness [the most precious of all].
20:16  [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.”
20:17  Food 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].
20:18  Plans are established by counsel; So make war [only] with wise guidance.
20:19  He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters].
20:20  Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp [of life] will be extinguished in time of darkness.
20:21  An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end.
20:22  Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you.
20:23  Differing weights are detestable and offensive to the Lord, And fraudulent scales are not good.
20:24  Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the Lord. How then can a man [fully] understand his way?
20:25  It is a trap for a man to [speak a vow of consecration and] say rashly, “It is holy!” And [not until] afterward consider [whether he can fulfill it].
20:26  A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good] And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].
20:27  The spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being.
20:28  Loyalty and mercy, truth and faithfulness, protect the king, And he upholds his throne by lovingkindness.
20:29  The glory of young men is their [physical] strength, And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].
20:30  Blows that wound cleanse away evil, And strokes reach to the innermost parts.