Previous Chapter Full Page Full Page Next Chapter

Proverbs 20 :: New American Standard Bible 2020 (NASB20)

On Life and Conduct

Pro 20:1

Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink a brawler,

And whoever [fn]is intoxicated by it is not wise.

Pro 20:2

The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;

One who provokes him to anger [fn]forfeits his own life.

Pro 20:3

Avoiding strife is an honor for a person,

But any fool will [fn]quarrel.

Pro 20:4

The [fn]lazy one does not plow after the autumn,

So he [fn]begs during the harvest and has nothing.

Pro 20:5

A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water,

But a person of understanding draws it out.

Pro 20:6

Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,

But who can find a trustworthy person?

Pro 20:7

A righteous person who walks in his integrity

How blessed are his sons after him.

Pro 20:8

A king who sits on the throne of justice

[fn]Disperses all evil with his eyes.

Pro 20:9

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,

I am pure from my sin”?

Pro 20:10

[fn]Differing weights and differing measures,

Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

Pro 20:11

It is by his deeds that a boy [fn]distinguishes himself,

If his conduct is pure and right.

Pro 20:12

The hearing ear and the seeing eye,

The LORD has made both of them.

Pro 20:13

Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;

Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with [fn]food.

Pro 20:14

“Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

Pro 20:15

There is gold, and an abundance of [fn]jewels;

But lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

Pro 20:16

Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger;

And for foreigners, seize a pledge from him.

Pro 20:17

Bread obtained by a lie is sweet to a person,

But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

Pro 20:18

Prepare plans by consultation,

And make war by wise guidance.

Pro 20:19

One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets;

Therefore do not associate with [fn]a gossip.

Pro 20:20

He who curses his father or his mother,

His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

Pro 20:21

An inheritance gained in a hurry at the beginning

Will not be blessed in the end.

Pro 20:22

Do not say, “I will repay evil”;

Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

Pro 20:23

[fn]Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD,

And a [fn]false scale is not good.

Pro 20:24

A man’s steps are ordained by the LORD;

How then can a person understand his way?

Pro 20:25

It is a trap for a person to say carelessly, “It is holy!”

And after the vows to make inquiry.

Pro 20:26

A wise king scatters the wicked,

And [fn]drives a threshing wheel over them.

Pro 20:27

The [fn]spirit of a person is the lamp of the LORD,

Searching all the [fn]innermost parts of his being.

Pro 20:28

[fn]Loyalty and truth watch over the king,

And he upholds his throne by [fn]loyalty.

Pro 20:29

The glory of young men is their strength,

And the [fn]honor of old men is their gray hair.

Pro 20:30

Bruising wounds clean away evil,

And blows cleanse the [fn]innermost parts.

NASB20 Footnotes
Lit errs
Lit sins against
Lit burst out
Lit idle
Lit asks
Or Sifts
Lit A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah
Or makes himself known
Lit bread
Or corals
Lit one who opens his lips
Lit A stone and a stone
Lit balance of deceit
Lit turns
Lit breath
Lit chambers of the body
I.e., covenant loyalty
I.e., covenant loyalty
Or splendor
Lit chambers of the body
Translation Copyright Logo

New American Standard Bible 2020
Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif.
All rights reserved
https://www.lockman.org/new-american-standard-bible-nasb/

The "NASB," "NAS," "New American Standard Bible," and "New American Standard" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by The Lockman Foundation. Use of these trademarks requires the permission of The Lockman Foundation.

For Permission To Quote visit http://www.lockman.org

For more information on this translation, see the NASB20 Preface.