and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.
at harvest time he looks,[b] and there is nothing.
but a man of understanding draws it out.
but who can find a trustworthy man?
his children[c] who come after him will be happy.
sifts out all evil with his eyes.
I am cleansed from my sin”?
both are detestable to the Lord.
if his behavior is pure and upright.
the Lord made them both.
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.
but after he is on his way, he gloats.
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.
and wage war with sound guidance.
avoid someone with a big mouth.
his lamp will go out in deep darkness.
will not be blessed ultimately.
Wait on the Lord, and He will rescue you.
and dishonest scales are unfair.
so how can anyone understand his own way?
and later to reconsider his vows.
and drives the threshing wheel over them.
searching the innermost parts.[h]
through loyalty he maintains his throne.
and the splendor of old men is gray hair.
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.[i]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:4 Lit plow in winter
- Proverbs 20:4 Lit inquires
- Proverbs 20:7 Lit sons
- Proverbs 20:10 Lit Stone and stone, measure and measure
- Proverbs 20:16 A debtor’s outer garment was held as collateral.
- Proverbs 20:23 Lit A stone and a stone
- Proverbs 20:27 Lit breath
- Proverbs 20:27 Lit the chambers of the belly
- Proverbs 20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly