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20:1  Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who are intoxicated by them are wise.
20:2  The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; those who incur his anger forfeit their lives.
20:3  A person gains honor by avoiding strife, while every fool starts a quarrel.
20:4  In seedtime sluggards do not plow; when they look for the harvest, it is not there.
20:5  The intention of the human heart is deep water, but the intelligent draw it forth.
20:6  Many say, “My loyal friend,” but who can find someone worthy of trust?
20:7  The just walk in integrity; happy are their children after them!
20:8  A king seated on the throne of judgment dispels all evil with his glance.
20:9  Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed of my sin”?
20:10  Varying weights, varying measures, are both an abomination to the Lord.
20:11  In their actions even children can playact though their deeds be blameless and right.
20:12  The ear that hears, the eye that sees— the Lord has made them both.
20:13  Do not love sleep lest you be reduced to poverty; keep your eyes open, have your fill of food.
20:14  “Bad, bad!” says the buyer, then goes away only to boast.
20:15  One can put on gold and abundant jewels, but wise lips are the most precious ornament.
20:16  Take the garment of the one who became surety for a stranger; if for foreigners, exact the pledge!
20:17  Bread earned by deceit is sweet, but afterward the mouth is filled with gravel.
20:18  Plans made with advice succeed; with wise direction wage your war.
20:19  A slanderer reveals secrets; so have nothing to do with a babbler!
20:20  Those who curse father or mother— their lamp will go out in the dead of night.
20:21  Possessions greedily guarded at the outset will not be blessed in the end.
20:22  Do not say, “I will repay evil!” Wait for the Lord, who will help you.
20:23  Varying weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
20:24  Our steps are from the Lord; how, then, can mortals understand their way?
20:25  It is a trap to pledge rashly a sacred gift, and after a vow, then to reflect.
20:26  A wise king winnows the wicked, and threshes them under the cartwheel.
20:27  A lamp from the Lord is human life-breath; it searches through the inmost being.
20:28  His steadfast loyalty safeguards the king, and he upholds his throne by justice.
20:29  The glory of the young is their strength, and the dignity of the old is gray hair.
20:30  Evil is cleansed away by bloody lashes, and a scourging to the inmost being.