Proverbs 20

All 30 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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  1. 1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; whoever is deceived by them is not wise.
  2. 2The fear of a king is like the roaring of a lion: whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own soul.
  3. 3It is an honor for a person to avoid strife, but every fool will be meddling.
  4. 4The sluggard will not plow because of the cold; so he will beg during harvest and have nothing.
  5. 5Counsel in a person's heart is like deep water, but a person of understanding will draw it out.
  6. 6Most people will declare their own goodness, but who can find a faithful person?
  7. 7The righteous person walks in his integrity — his children are blessed after him.
  8. 8A king who sits on the throne of judgment disperses all evil with his eyes.
  9. 9Who can say, 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?
  10. 10Differing weights and differing measures — both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
  11. 11Even a child is known by his actions, whether his work is pure and right.
  12. 12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made both of them.
  13. 13Do not love sleep, or you will become poor. Keep your eyes open, and you will have plenty of bread.
  14. 14'It's worthless, it's worthless,' says the buyer, but after he leaves, he brags.
  15. 15There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
  16. 16Take the garment of one who guarantees a stranger, and hold it as a pledge for a foreign woman.
  17. 17Bread of deceit is sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
  18. 18Every plan is established by counsel, and with good advice make war.
  19. 19A person who spreads gossip reveals secrets; therefore, do not associate with someone who flatters with his words.
  20. 20Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deep darkness.
  21. 21An inheritance may be obtained quickly at first, but its end will not be blessed.
  22. 22Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; instead, wait on the LORD, and he will save you.
  23. 23Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, and a false balance is not good.
  24. 24A person's steps are directed by the LORD; how then can anyone understand their own way?
  25. 25It is a snare to the man who devours that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
  26. 26A wise king scatters the wicked and brings the wheel over them.
  27. 27The spirit of a person is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inner parts of the belly.
  28. 28Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is sustained by mercy.
  29. 29The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is their gray hair.
  30. 30The bruise of a wound cleanses away evil, so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.