| Chapter 20 |
1 | Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler; Whoever is let astray by them is not wise.
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2 | The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion: He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
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3 | It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarreling.
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4 | The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
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5 | Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.
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6 | Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, But who can find a faithful man?
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7 | A righteous man who walks in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him.
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8 | A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters away all evil with his eyes.
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9 | Who can say, 'I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?'
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10 | Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
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11 | Even a child makes himself known by his doings, Whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
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12 | The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.
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13 | Don't love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
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14 | 'It's no good, it's no good,' says the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
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15 | There is gold and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
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16 | Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; And hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
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17 | Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, But afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
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18 | Plans are established by advice; By wise guidance you wage war!
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19 | He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; Therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
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20 | Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
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21 | An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, Won't be blessed in the end.
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22 | Don't say, 'I will pay back evil.' Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
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23 | Yahweh detests differing weights, And dishonest scales are not pleasing.
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24 | A man's steps are from Yahweh; How then can man understand his way?
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25 | It is a snare to a man make a rash dedication, And later reconsider his vows.
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26 | A wise king winnows out the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them.
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27 | The spirit of man is Yahweh's lamp, Searching all his innermost parts.
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28 | Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
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29 | The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
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30 | Wounding blows cleanse away evil, And beatings purge the innermost parts.
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