Sundry observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices.

20:1 Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler.
Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

20:2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion.
He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

20:3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife;
but every fool will be quarreling.

20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter;
therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;
but a man of understanding will draw it out.

20:6 Many men claim to be men of unfailing love,
but who can find a faithful man?

20:7 A righteous man walks in integrity.
Blessed are his children after him.

20:8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment
scatters away all evil with his eyes.

20:9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure.
I am clean and without sin?”

20:10 Differing weights and differing measures,
both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings,
whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.

20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,
Yahweh has made even both of them.

20:13 Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty.
Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

20:14 “It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer;
but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

20:15 There is gold and abundance of rubies;
but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

20:16 Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger;
and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

20:17 Fraudulent food is sweet to a man,
but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.

20:18 Plans are established by advice;
by wise guidance you wage war!

20:19 He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets;
therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

20:20 Whoever curses his father or his mother,
his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

20:21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning,
won’t be blessed in the end.

20:22 Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.”
Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.

20:23 Yahweh detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

20:24 A man’s steps are from Yahweh;
how then can man understand his way?

20:25 It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication,
then later to consider his vows.

20:26 A wise king winnows out the wicked,
and drives the threshing wheel over them.

20:27 The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp,
searching all his innermost parts.

20:28 Love and faithfulness keep the king safe.
His throne is sustained by love.

20:29 The glory of young men is their strength.
The splendor of old men is their gray hair.

20:30 Wounding blows cleanse away evil,
and beatings purge the innermost parts.