Proverbs 20:1-30 NKJV

[1] Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. [2] The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life. [3] It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. [4] The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing. [5] Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out. [6] Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? [7] The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. [8] A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes. [9] Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin"? [10] Diverse weights and diverse measures, They are both alike, an abomination to the LORD. [11] Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right. [12] The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both. [13] Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread. [14] "It is good for nothing," cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts. [15] There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. [16] Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress. [17] Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. [18] Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war. [19] He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. [20] Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness. [21] An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end. [22] Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. [23] Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, And dishonest scales are not good. [24] A man's steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way? [25] It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. [26] A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them. [27] The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. [28] Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne. [29] The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head. [30] Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.