Proverbs 20 · משלי

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous, and whoever is misled thereby is not wise.

The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will burst out.

The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

The just man walks in his integrity: happy are his children after him.

A king that sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike an abomination to the Lord.

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.

Do not love sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thy eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

It is bad, it is bad, says the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Take his garment when he has become surety for a stranger: and take his pledge on behalf of an alien woman.

Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice conduct war.

He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets: therefore meddle not with him who prates with his lips.

He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in utter darkness.

An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but its end shall not be blessed.

Do not say, I will repay evil; but wait on the Lord, and he will save thee.

Divers weights are an abomination to the Lord; and a false balance is not good.

Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?

It is a snare to a man rashly to declare, It is holy; and afterwards to probe his vows.

A wise king scatters the wicked, and drives the wheel over them.

The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Love and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upheld by loyalty.

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

Bruises and wounds purge away evil: so do stripes which reach the inward parts.