Proverbs 20:1-30 ICB

[1] Wine and beer make people loud and uncontrolled. It is not wise to get drunk on them. [2] A king's anger is like the roar of a lion. Making him angry may cost you your life. [3] Foolish people are always getting into quarrels. But avoiding quarrels will bring you honor. [4] A lazy farmer doesn't plow when he should. So at harvest time he has no crop. [5] Understanding a person's thoughts is as hard as getting water from a deep well. But someone with understanding can find the wisdom there. [6] Many people claim to be loyal. But it is hard to find someone who really can be trusted. [7] The good person who lives an honest life is a blessing to his children. [8] A king sits on his throne and judges people. He knows evil when he sees it. [9] No one can say, "I am innocent. I have never done anything wrong." [10] The Lord hates both these things: dishonest weights and dishonest measures. [11] Even a child is known by his behavior. His actions show if he is innocent and good. [12] The Lord has made both these things: Ears that can hear and eyes that can see. [13] If you love to sleep, you will be poor. If you stay awake, you will have plenty of food. [14] The buyer says, "This is bad. It's no good." Then he goes away and brags about what he bought. [15] There is plenty of gold, and there are many rubies. But there are only a few people who speak with knowledge. [16] Take the coat of someone who promises to pay what a stranger owes. Keep it until he pays the stranger's bills. [17] When a person gets food dishonestly, it may taste sweet at first. But later he will feel as if he has a mouth full of gravel. [18] Get advice if you want your plans to work. If you go to war, get the advice of others. [19] Gossips can't keep secrets. So avoid people who talk too much. [20] Whoever curses his father or mother will die like a light going out in darkness. [21] Wealth that is gotten quickly in the beginning will do you no good in the end. [22] Don't say, "I'll pay you back for the evil you did." Wait for the Lord. He will make things right. [23] The Lord hates dishonest weights. And dishonest scales do not please him. [24] The Lord decides what a person does. So no one can understand what his life is all about. [25] It's dangerous to promise something to God too quickly. After you've thought about it, it may be too late. [26] A wise king finds out who the evil people are. Then he punishes them. [27] The Lord looks into a person's feelings. He searches through a person's thoughts. [28] Loyalty and truth keep a king in power. He continues to rule if he is loyal. [29] Young men are admired for their strength. Old men are honored for their experience. [30] Hard punishment will get rid of evil. Whippings can change the evil person's heart.