Proverbs 20

Words of Wisdom Are Better than Gold

20 It isn’t smart to get drunk! Drinking makes a fool of you
        and leads to fights.
² An angry ruler
        is like a roaring lion—
    make either one angry,
        and you are dead.
³ It makes you look good
    when you avoid a fight—
        only fools love to quarrel.
⁴ If you are too lazy to plow,
    don’t expect a harvest.
⁵ Someone’s thoughts may be
        as deep as the ocean,
    but if you are smart,
        you will discover them.

⁶ There are many who say,
    “You can trust me!”
        But can they be trusted?
⁷ Good people live right,
    and God blesses the children
        who follow their example.
⁸ When rulers decide cases,
        they weigh the evidence.
⁹ Can any of us really say,
    “My thoughts are pure,
        and my sins are gone”?

¹⁰ Two things the Lord hates
    are dishonest scales
        and dishonest measures.
¹¹ The good or bad
    that children do
        shows what they are like.
¹² Hearing and seeing
        are gifts from the Lord.
¹³ If you sleep all the time,
        you will starve;
    if you get up and work,
        you will have enough food.
¹⁴ Everyone likes to brag
        about getting a bargain.
¹⁵ Sensible words are better
        than gold or jewels.

¹⁶ You deserve to lose your coat
        if you loan it to someone
    to guarantee payment
        for the debt of a stranger.
¹⁷ The food you get by cheating
    may taste delicious,
        but it turns to gravel.
¹⁸ Be sure you have sound advice
    before making plans
        or starting a war.
¹⁹ Stay away from gossips—
        they tell everything.
²⁰ Children who curse their parents
    will go to the land of darkness
        long before their time.
²¹ Getting rich quick
        may turn out to be a curse.
²² Don’t try to get even.
    Trust the Lord,
        and he will help you.

²³ The Lord hates dishonest scales
    and dishonest weights.
        So don’t cheat!
²⁴ How can we know
    what will happen to us
        when the Lord alone decides?
²⁵ Don’t fall into the trap
    of making promises to God
        before you think!
²⁶ A wise ruler severely punishes
        every criminal.
²⁷ Our inner thoughts are a lamp
    from the Lord,
        and they search our hearts.
²⁸ Rulers are protected
        by God’s mercy and loyalty,
    but they must be merciful
        for their kingdoms to last.
²⁹ Young people take pride
        in their strength,
    but the gray hairs of wisdom
        are even more beautiful.
³⁰ A severe beating can knock all
        of the evil out of you!