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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
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Proverbs Chapter 20 — Additional Translations: