| Chapter 20 |
1 |
Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler; Whoever is let astray by them is not wise. --
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2 |
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion: He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. --
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3 |
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarreling. --
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4 |
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing. --
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5 |
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out. --
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6 |
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, But who can find a faithful man? --
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7 |
A righteous man who walks in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him. --
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8 |
A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters away all evil with his eyes. --
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9 |
Who can say, 'I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?' --
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10 |
Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh. --
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11 |
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, Whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. --
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12 |
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them. --
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13 |
Don't love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread. --
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14 |
'It's no good, it's no good,' says the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasts. --
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15 |
There is gold and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel. --
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16 |
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; And hold him in pledge for a wayward woman. --
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17 |
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, But afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel. --
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18 |
Plans are established by advice; By wise guidance you wage war! --
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19 |
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; Therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips. --
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20 |
Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness. --
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21 |
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, Won't be blessed in the end. --
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22 |
Don't say, 'I will pay back evil.' Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you. --
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23 |
Yahweh detests differing weights, And dishonest scales are not pleasing. --
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24 |
A man's steps are from Yahweh; How then can man understand his way? --
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25 |
It is a snare to a man make a rash dedication, And later reconsider his vows. --
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26 |
A wise king winnows out the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them. --
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27 |
The spirit of man is Yahweh's lamp, Searching all his innermost parts. --
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28 |
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love. --
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29 |
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair. --
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30 |
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, And beatings purge the innermost parts. --
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