New International Version  
Chapter 20
1Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion;
he who angers him forfeits his life.
3It is to a man's honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4A sluggard does not plow in season;
so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
5The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out.
6Many a man claims to have unfailing love,
but a faithful man who can find?
7The righteous man leads a blameless life;
blessed are his children after him.
8When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?
10Differing weights and differing measures—
the LORD detests them both.
11Even a child is known by his actions,
by whether his conduct is pure and right.
12Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the LORD has made them both.
13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14“It's no good, it's no good!” says the buyer;
then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.
15Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.
17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man,
but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
18Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid a man who talks too much.
20If a man curses his father or mother,
his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
will not be blessed at the end.
22Do not say, “I'll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
23The LORD detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
24A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider his vows.
26A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a manOr The spirit of man is the LORD's lamp;
it searches out his inmost being.
28Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.
29The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.
30Blows and wounds cleanse away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.
Chapter 21
1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD;
he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.
2All a man's ways seem right to him,
but the LORD weighs the heart.
3To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
5The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6A fortune made by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
7The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
for they refuse to do what is right.
8The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10The wicked man craves evil;
his neighbor gets no mercy from him.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.
12The Righteous OneOr The righteous man takes note of the house of the wicked
and brings the wicked to ruin.
13If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
he too will cry out and not be answered.
14A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.
16A man who strays from the path of understanding
comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.
20In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil,
but a foolish man devours all he has.
21He who pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperityOr righteousness and honor.
22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty
and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23He who guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself from calamity.
24The proud and arrogant man—“Mocker” is his name;
he behaves with overweening pride.
25The sluggard's craving will be the death of him,
because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous give without sparing.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28A false witness will perish,
and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.Or / but the words of an obedient man will live on
29A wicked man puts up a bold front,
but an upright man gives thought to his ways.
30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the LORD.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.
Chapter 22
1A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.
3A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
4Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor and life.
5In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
but he who guards his soul stays far from them.
6TrainOr Start a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
7The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
10Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.
11He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
will have the king for his friend.
12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!”
or, “I will be murdered in the streets!”
14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
16He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
Sayings of the Wise
17Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
18for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
19So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I teach you today, even you.
20Have I not written thirtyOr not formerly written; or not written excellent sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21teaching you true and reliable words,
so that you can give sound answers
to him who sent you?
22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,
23for the LORD will take up their case
and will plunder those who plunder them.
24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
do not associate with one easily angered,
25or you may learn his ways
and get yourself ensnared.
26Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge
or puts up security for debts;
27if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.
28Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your forefathers.
29Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.
 
 

LOADING .......