Proverbs 20 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·Proverbs 21

¹The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

KJVThe king's^H4428 heart^H3820 is in the hand^H3027 of the LORD^H3068, as the rivers^H6388 of water^H4325: he turneth^H5186^(H8686) it whithersoever he will^H2654^(H8799).

² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.

KJVEvery way^H1870 of a man^H376 is right^H3477 in his own eyes^H5869: but the LORD^H3068 pondereth^H8505^(H8802) the hearts^H3826.

³ To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

KJVTo do^H6213^(H8800) justice^H6666 and judgment^H4941 is more acceptable^H977^(H8737) to the LORD^H3068 than sacrifice^H2077.

⁴ A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

KJVAn high^H7312 look^H5869, and a proud^H7342 heart^H3820, and the plowing^H5215 of the wicked^H7563, is sin^H2403.

⁵ The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

KJVThe thoughts^H4284 of the diligent^H2742 tend only to plenteousness^H4195; but of every one that is hasty^H213^(H8801) only to want^H4270.

⁶ Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

KJVThe getting^H6467 of treasures^H214 by a lying^H8267 tongue^H3956 is a vanity^H1892 tossed to and fro of^H5086^(H8737) them that seek^H1245^(H8764) death^H4194.

⁷ The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

KJVThe robbery^H7701 of the wicked^H7563 shall destroy^H1641^(H8799) them; because they refuse^H3985^(H8765) to do^H6213^(H8800) judgment^H4941.

⁸ The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

KJVThe way^H1870 of man^H376 is froward^H2019 and strange^H2054: but as for the pure^H2134, his work^H6467 is right^H3477.

⁹ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.

KJVIt is better^H2896 to dwell^H3427^(H8800) in a corner^H6438 of the housetop^H1406, than with a brawling^H4079^(H8675)^H4066 woman^H802 in a wide^H2267 house^H1004.

¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

KJVThe soul^H5315 of the wicked^H7563 desireth^H183^(H8765) evil^H7451: his neighbour^H7453 findeth no favour^H2603^(H8717) in his eyes^H5869.

¹¹ When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

KJVWhen the scorner^H3887^(H8801) is punished^H6064^(H8800), the simple^H6612 is made wise^H2449^(H8799): and when the wise^H2450 is instructed^H7919^(H8687), he receiveth^H3947^(H8799) knowledge^H1847.

¹² The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

KJVThe righteous^H6662 man wisely considereth^H7919^(H8688) the house^H1004 of the wicked^H7563: but God overthroweth^H5557^(H8764) the wicked^H7563 for their wickedness^H7451.

¹³ Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

KJVWhoso stoppeth^H331^(H8801) his ears^H241 at the cry^H2201 of the poor^H1800, he also shall cry^H7121^(H8799) himself, but shall not be heard^H6030^(H8735).

¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

KJVA gift^H4976 in secret^H5643 pacifieth^H3711^(H8799) anger^H639: and a reward^H7810 in the bosom^H2436 strong^H5794 wrath^H2534.

¹⁵ It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

KJVIt is joy^H8057 to the just^H6662 to do^H6213^(H8800) judgment^H4941: but destruction^H4288 shall be to the workers^H6466^(H8802) of iniquity^H205.

¹⁶ The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

KJVThe man^H120 that wandereth^H8582^(H8802) out of the way^H1870 of understanding^H7919^(H8687) shall remain^H5117^(H8799) in the congregation^H6951 of the dead^H7496.

¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.

KJVHe that loveth^H157^(H8802) pleasure^H8057 shall be a poor^H4270 man^H376: he that loveth^H157^(H8802) wine^H3196 and oil^H8081 shall not be rich^H6238^(H8686).

¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.

KJVThe wicked^H7563 shall be a ransom^H3724 for the righteous^H6662, and the transgressor^H898^(H8802) for the upright^H3477.

¹⁹ It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

KJVIt is better^H2896 to dwell^H3427^(H8800) in the wilderness^H776^H4057, than with a contentious^H4079^(H8675)^H4066 and an angry^H3708 woman^H802.

²⁰ There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

KJVThere is treasure^H214 to be desired^H2530^(H8737) and oil^H8081 in the dwelling^H5116 of the wise^H2450; but a foolish^H3684 man^H120 spendeth it up^H1104^(H8762).

²¹ He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

KJVHe that followeth^H7291^(H8802) after righteousness^H6666 and mercy^H2617 findeth^H4672^(H8799) life^H2416, righteousness^H6666, and honour^H3519.

²² A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

KJVA wise^H2450 man scaleth^H5927^(H8804) the city^H5892 of the mighty^H1368, and casteth down^H3381^(H8686) the strength^H5797 of the confidence^H4009 thereof.

²³ Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

KJVWhoso keepeth^H8104^(H8802) his mouth^H6310 and his tongue^H3956 keepeth^H8104^(H8802) his soul^H5315 from troubles^H6869.

²⁴ The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.

KJVProud^H2086 and haughty^H3093 scorner^H3887^(H8801) is his name^H8034, who dealeth^H6213^(H8802) in proud^H2087 wrath^H5678.

²⁵ The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

KJVThe desire^H8378 of the slothful^H6102 killeth^H4191^(H8686) him; for his hands^H3027 refuse^H3985^(H8765) to labour^H6213^(H8800).

²⁶ There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.

KJVHe coveteth^H183^(H8694) greedily^H8378 all the day^H3117 long: but the righteous^H6662 giveth^H5414^(H8799) and spareth^H2820^(H8799) not.

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

KJVThe sacrifice^H2077 of the wicked^H7563 is abomination^H8441: how much more, when he bringeth^H935^(H8686) it with a wicked mind^H2154?

²⁸ A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.

KJVA false^H3577 witness^H5707 shall perish^H6^(H8799): but the man^H376 that heareth^H8085^(H8802) speaketh^H1696^(H8762) constantly^H5331.

²⁹ A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

KJVA wicked^H7563 man^H376 hardeneth^H5810^(H8689) his face^H6440: but as for the upright^H3477, he directeth^H995^(H8799)^(H8675)^H3559^(H8686) his way^H1870.

³⁰ There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

KJVThere is no wisdom^H2451 nor understanding^H8394 nor counsel^H6098 against the LORD^H3068.

³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.

KJVThe horse^H5483 is prepared^H3559^(H8716) against the day^H3117 of battle^H4421: but safety^H8668 is of the LORD^H3068.

WEB·Proverbs 20

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

KJVWine^H3196 is a mocker^H3887^(H8801), strong drink^H7941 is raging^H1993^(H8802): and whosoever is deceived^H7686^(H8802) thereby is not wise^H2449^(H8799).

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

KJVThe fear^H367 of a king^H4428 is as the roaring^H5099 of a lion^H3715: whoso provoketh him to anger^H5674^(H8693) sinneth^H2398^(H8802) against his own soul^H5315.

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

KJVIt is an honour^H3519 for a man^H376 to cease^H7674 from strife^H7379: but every fool^H191 will be meddling^H1566^(H8691).

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

KJVThe sluggard^H6102 will not plow^H2790^(H8799) by reason of the cold^H2779; therefore shall he beg^H7592^(H8804)^(H8675)^H7592^(H8799) in harvest^H7105, and have nothing.

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

KJVCounsel^H6098 in the heart^H3820 of man^H376 is like deep^H6013 water^H4325; but a man^H376 of understanding^H8394 will draw it out^H1802^(H8799).

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

KJVMost^H7230 men^H120 will proclaim^H7121^(H8799) every one^H376 his own goodness^H2617: but a faithful^H529 man^H376 who can find^H4672^(H8799)?

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

KJVThe just^H6662 man walketh^H1980^(H8693) in his integrity^H8537: his children^H1121 are blessed^H835 after^H310 him.

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

KJVA king^H4428 that sitteth in^H3427^(H8802) the throne^H3678 of judgment^H1779 scattereth away^H2219^(H8764) all evil^H7451 with his eyes^H5869.

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

KJVWho can say^H559^(H8799), I have made my heart^H3820 clean^H2135^(H8765), I am pure^H2891^(H8804) from my sin^H2403?

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

KJVDivers weights^H68^H68, and divers measures^H374^H374, both^H8147 of them are alike^H1571 abomination^H8441 to the LORD^H3068.

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

KJVEven a child^H5288 is known^H5234^(H8691) by his doings^H4611, whether his work^H6467 be pure^H2134, and whether it be right^H3477.

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

KJVThe hearing^H8085^(H8802) ear^H241, and the seeing^H7200^(H8802) eye^H5869, the LORD^H3068 hath made^H6213^(H8804) even both^H8147 of them.

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

KJVLove^H157^(H8799) not sleep^H8142, lest thou come to poverty^H3423^(H8735); open^H6491^(H8798) thine eyes^H5869, and thou shalt be satisfied^H7646^(H8798) with bread^H3899.

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

KJVIt is naught^H7451, it is naught^H7451, saith^H559^(H8799) the buyer^H7069^(H8802): but when he is gone^H235^(H8801) his way, then he boasteth^H1984^(H8691).

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

KJVThere is^H3426 gold^H2091, and a multitude^H7230 of rubies^H6443: but the lips^H8193 of knowledge^H1847 are a precious^H3366 jewel^H3627.

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

KJVTake^H3947^(H8798) his garment^H899 that is surety^H6148^(H8804) for a stranger^H2114^(H8801): and take a pledge^H2254^(H8798) of him for a strange woman^H5237.

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

KJVBread^H3899 of deceit^H8267 is sweet^H6156 to a man^H376; but afterwards^H310 his mouth^H6310 shall be filled^H4390^(H8735) with gravel^H2687.

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

KJVEvery purpose^H4284 is established^H3559^(H8735) by counsel^H6098: and with good advice^H8458 make^H6213^(H8798) war^H4421.

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

KJVHe that goeth about^H1980^(H8802) as a talebearer^H7400 revealeth^H1540^(H8802) secrets^H5475: therefore meddle^H6148^(H8691) not with him that flattereth^H6601^(H8802) with his lips^H8193.

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

KJVWhoso curseth^H7043^(H8764) his father^H1 or his mother^H517, his lamp^H5216 shall be put out^H1846^(H8799) in obscure^H380^(H8676)^H380 darkness^H2822.

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

KJVAn inheritance^H5159 may be gotten hastily^H926^(H8794)^(H8675)^H973^(H8794) at the beginning^H7223; but the end^H319 thereof shall not be blessed^H1288^(H8792).

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

KJVSay^H559^(H8799) not thou, I will recompense^H7999^(H8762) evil^H7451; but wait on^H6960^(H8761) the LORD^H3068, and he shall save^H3467^(H8686) thee.

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

KJVDivers weights^H68^H68 are an abomination^H8441 unto the LORD^H3068; and a false^H4820 balance^H3976 is not good^H2896.

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

KJVMan's^H1397 goings^H4703 are of the LORD^H3068; how can a man^H120 then understand^H995^(H8799) his own way^H1870?

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

KJVIt is a snare^H4170 to the man^H120 who devoureth^H3216^(H8804) that which is holy^H6944, and after^H310 vows^H5088 to make enquiry^H1239^(H8763).

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

KJVA wise^H2450 king^H4428 scattereth^H2219^(H8764) the wicked^H7563, and bringeth^H7725^(H8686) the wheel^H212 over them.

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

KJVThe spirit^H5397 of man^H120 is the candle^H5216 of the LORD^H3068, searching^H2664^(H8802) all the inward parts^H2315 of the belly^H990.

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

KJVMercy^H2617 and truth^H571 preserve^H5341^(H8799) the king^H4428: and his throne^H3678 is upholden^H5582^(H8804) by mercy^H2617.

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

KJVThe glory^H8597 of young men^H970 is their strength^H3581: and the beauty^H1926 of old men^H2205 is the gray head^H7872.

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

KJVThe blueness^H2250 of a wound^H6482 cleanseth^H8562 away evil^H7451: so do stripes^H4347 the inward parts^H2315 of the belly^H990.

Section titles come from the Biblion commentary, not from Scripture.

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