Proverbs 20:1-30 ESV

[1] Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. [2] The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. [3] It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. [4] The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. [5] The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. [6] Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? [7] The righteous who walks in his integrity-blessed are his children after him! [8] A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. [9] Who can say, "I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"? [10] Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD. [11] Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. [12] The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both. [13] Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. [14] "Bad, bad," says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts. [15] There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. [16] Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners. [17] Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. [18] Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. [19] Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. [20] If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. [21] An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. [22] Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. [23] Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good. [24] A man's steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way? [25] It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows. [26] A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them. [27] The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts. [28] Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. [29] The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. [30] Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.