JPS - Proverbs - 20

20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.

20:2  The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.

20:3  It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.

20:4  The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

20:5  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

20:6  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?

20:7  He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.

20:8  A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

20:9  Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?

20:10  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are abomination to HaShem.

20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

20:12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, HaShem hath made even both of them.

20:13  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.

20:14  'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

20:15  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

20:16  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.

20:17  Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.

20:19  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.

20:20  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.

20:21  An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

20:22  Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for HaShem, and He will save thee.

20:23  Divers weights are an abomination to HaShem; and a false balance is not good.

20:24  A man's goings are of HaShem; how then can man look to his way?

20:25  It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.

20:26  A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.

20:27  The spirit of man is the lamp of HaShem, searching all the inward parts.

20:28  Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.

20:29  The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

20:30  Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.