Proverbs 20 NIV ISV Parallel

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◄ Proverbs 20 ►

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1Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

1Wine causes mocking, and beer causes fights; everyone led astray by them lacks wisdom.

2A king's wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.

2A king's anger is like a lion's roar; anyone who angers him forfeits his life.

3It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

3Avoiding strife brings a man honor, but every fool is quarrelsome.

4Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

4A lazy person doesn't plow in the proper season; he looks for a harvest, but there is nothing.

5The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.

5The intentions of a person's heart are deep waters, but a discerning person reveals them.

6Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?

6Many claim "I'm a loyal person!" but who can find someone who truly is?

7The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

7The righteous person lives a life of integrity; happy are his children who follow him!

8When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

8A king sits on a throne of justice, sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance.

9Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?

9Who can say, "My intentions are pure; I am clean from any sin?"

10Differing weights and differing measures-- the LORD detests them both.

10FALSE weights and measures— the LORD surely detests both of them.

11Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?

11Even a child is known by his actions, whether his deeds are pure and right.

12Ears that hear and eyes that see-- the LORD has made them both.

12The ear that hears and the eye that sees— the LORD surely made them both.

13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

13Do not love sleep or you'll become poor, keep your eyes open and you'll have plenty of food.

14"It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer-- then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

14"This is bad, bad," says whoever is buying— but then he brags as he walks away after the sale.

15Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

15There is an abundance of gold and precious stones, but lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

16Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

16Take the garment of anyone who puts up collateral for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for an unfamiliar woman.

17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

17Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but later his mouth will be full of gravel.

18Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

18Make plans by seeking advice; make war by obtaining guidance.

19A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.

19Whoever spreads gossip betrays confidences; so don't get involved with someone who talks too much.

20If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

20Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the deepest darkness.

21An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.

21An inheritance quickly obtained 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 avenge you.

22Don't say "I'll avenge that wrong!" Wait on the LORD and he will deliver you.

23The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.

23The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not good.

24A person's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?

24A man's steps are directed by the LORD; how then can anyone understand his own way?

25It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows.

25It is a trap for a person to declare quickly, "This is sacred," and only later to have second thoughts about the vows.

26A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.

26A wise king sifts the wicked, crushing them with the threshing wheel.

27The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one's inmost being.

27A person's spirit is the lamp of the LORD; it searches throughout one's innermost being.

28Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.

28Gracious love and truth preserve a king; through love his throne is made secure.

29The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

29The glory of young men is their strength; and the splendor of elders is their gray hair.

30Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

30Blows that wound clean away evil; such beatings cleanse the innermost being.

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