Proverbs 20:1-30 GNT

[1] Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. It's stupid to get drunk. [2] Fear an angry king as you would a growling lion; making him angry is suicide. [3] Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them. [4] A farmer too lazy to plow his fields at the right time will have nothing to harvest. [5] A person's thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out. [6] Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is! [7] Children are fortunate if they have a father who is honest and does what is right. [8] The king sits in judgment and knows evil when he sees it. [9] Can anyone really say that his conscience is clear, that he has gotten rid of his sin? [10] The LORD hates people who use dishonest weights and measures. [11] Even children show what they are by what they do; you can tell if they are honest and good. [12] The LORD has given us eyes to see with and ears to listen with. [13] If you spend your time sleeping, you will be poor. Keep busy and you will have plenty to eat. [14] The customer always complains that the price is too high, but then he goes off and brags about the bargain he got. [15] If you know what you are talking about, you have something more valuable than gold or jewels. [16] Anyone stupid enough to promise to be responsible for a stranger's debts ought to have their own property held to guarantee payment. [17] What you get by dishonesty you may enjoy like the finest food, but sooner or later it will be like a mouthful of sand. [18] Get good advice and you will succeed; don't go charging into battle without a plan. [19] A gossip can never keep a secret. Stay away from people who talk too much. [20] If you curse your parents, your life will end like a lamp that goes out in the dark. [21] The more easily you get your wealth, the less good it will do you. [22] Don't take it on yourself to repay a wrong. Trust the LORD and he will make it right. [23] The LORD hates people who use dishonest scales and weights. [24] The LORD has determined our path; how then can anyone understand the direction his own life is taking? [25] Think carefully before you promise an offering to God. You might regret it later. [26] A wise king will find out who is doing wrong, and will punish him without pity. [27] The LORD gave us mind and conscience; we cannot hide from ourselves. [28] A king will remain in power as long as his rule is honest, just, and fair. [29] We admire the strength of youth and respect the gray hair of age. [30] Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.