Mishle 20

1 0 The yayin is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever is seduced to be led astray thereby is not wise.

2 The wrath of a melech is as the roaring of a lion; he who provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own nefesh.

3 It is kavod for an ish to cease from strife, but any fool can start a quarrel.

4 The atzel (sluggard, lazy one) will not plow by reason of choref (winter, cold); therefore shall he beg at katzir (harvest), and have nothing.

5 Etzah (purpose; see Yn 2:24-25 ) in the lev ish is like deep mayim, but an ish tevunah will draw it out.

6 Rav adam will proclaim every one his own chesed, but an ish emunim (faithful man, loyal man) who can find one?

7 The tzaddik walketh in his tohm (integrity, guilelessness); his banim after him are blessed.

8 A melech that sitteth in the kisse din (throne of judgment) winnows out all rah with his eynayim.

9 Who can say, I have made my lev pure, I am tahor from my chattat?

10 Differing weights, and differing measures, both of them are alike to’evah to Hashem.

11 Even a na’ar (child) is known by his ways, whether his conduct be pure, and whether it be yashar (right).

12 The hearing ozen, and the seeing ayin, Hashem hath made even both of them.

13 Love not sheynah (sleep), lest thou come to poverty; open thine eynayim, and thou shalt have enough lechem.

14 It is good for nothing, it is naught, saith the koneh (buyer), but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

15 There is zahav, and a multitude of rubies, but the sfatayim (lips) of da’as are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is guaranty for a zar (stranger), and hold it as his pledge for a nokhriyah (foreign woman, strange woman, seductress).

17 Lechem from sheker (deceit) is sweet to an ish, but afterwards his peh (mouth) shall be filled with gravel.

18 Every plan is established by etzah, and with tachbulot (guidance) wage milchamah.

19 He that goeth about as a rakhil (gossip, slanderer, talebearer) revealeth secrets; therefore associate not with the babbler.

20 He who curseth aviv or immo, his ner (lamp) shall be put out in deep choshech.

21 A nachalah (inheritance) may be gotten hastily at the rishonah (beginning); but the acharit (latter end) thereof shall not have a bracha.

22 Say not thou, I will pay back rah; but wait on Hashem, and He shall save thee.

23 Differing weights are a to’evah unto Hashem, and scales of mirmah (deceit) are not tov.

24 The steps of a gever are from Hashem; how can an adam then understand his own derech (way, life’s course)?

25 It is a mokesh adam to devote rashly as kodesh, and after nedarim (vows) to reconsider his consecration.

26 A melech chacham winnows out the resha’im and bringeth the ofan (threshing wheel) over them.

27 The neshamah of adam is the ner (light) of Hashem, searching all the innermost beten.

28 Chesed and emes guard the Melech, and his kisse is upheld by chesed.

29 The tiferet (glory) of bochurim is their ko’ach (strength), and the hadar (splendor) of zekenim is the silvery head.

30 Blows that wound cleanseth away rah; so do beatings the innermost beten.

Mishle 20 Commentary

Chapter 20

Verse 1 It seems hard to believe that men of the greatest abilities, as well as the ignorant, should render themselves fools and madmen, merely for the taste or excitement produced by strong liquors. Verse 2 . How formidable kings are to those who provoke them! how much more foolish then is it to provoke the King of kings! Verse 3 . To engage in quarrels is the greatest folly that can be. Yield, and even give up just demands, for peace' sake. Verse 4 . He who labours and endures hardship in his seed-time for eternity, will be properly diligent as to his earthly business. Verse 5 . Though many capable of giving wise counsel are silent, yet something may be drawn from them, which will reward those who obtain it. Verse 6 . It is hard to find those that have done, and will do more good than they speak, or care to hear spoken of. Verse 7 . A good man is not liable to uneasiness in contriving what he shall do, or in reflecting on what he has done, as those who walk in deceit. And his family fare better for his sake. Verse 8 . If great men are good men, they may do much good, and prevent very much evil. Verse 9 . Some can say, Through grace, we are cleaner than we have been; but it was the work of the Holy Spirit. Verse 10 . See the various deceits men use, of which the love of money is the root. The Lord will not bless what is thus gotten. Verse 11 . Parents should observe their children, that they may manage them accordingly. Verse 12 . All our powers and faculties are from God, and are to be employed for him. Verse 13 . Those that indulge themselves, may expect to want necessaries, which should have been gotten by honest labour. Verse 14 . Men use arts to get a good bargain, and to buy cheap; whereas a man ought to be ashamed of a fraud and a lie. Verse 15 . He that prefers true knowledge to riches, follows the ways of religion and happiness. If we really believed this truth, the word of God would be valued as it deserves, and the world would lose its tempting influence. Verse 16 . Those ruin themselves who entangle themselves in rash suretiship. Also those who are in league with abandoned women. Place no confidence in either. Verse 17 . Wealth gotten by fraud may be sweet, for the carnal mind takes pleasure in the success of wicked devices; but it will be bitter in the reflection. Verse 18 . Especially we need advice in spiritual warfare. The word and Spirit of God are the best counsellors in every point. Verse 19 . Those dearly buy their own praise, who put confidence in a man because he speaks fairly. Verse 20 . An undutiful child will become very miserable. Never let him expect any peace or comfort. Verse 21 . An estate suddenly raised, is often as suddenly ruined. Verse 22 . Wait on the Lord, attend his pleasure, and he will protect thee. Verse 23 . A bargain made by fraud will prove a losing bargain in the end. Verse 24 . How can we form plans, and conduct business, independently of the Lord? Verse 25 . The evasions men often use with their own consciences show how false and deceitful man is. Verse 26 . Justice should crush the wicked, and separate them from the virtuous. Verse 27 . The rational soul and conscience are as a lamp within us, which should be used in examining our dispositions and motives with the revealed will of God. Verse 28 . Mercy and truth are the glories of God's throne. Verse 29 . Both young and old have their advantages; and let neither despise or envy the other. Verse 30 . Severe rebukes sometimes do a great deal of good. But such is the corruption of nature, that men are loth to be rebuked for their sins. If God uses severe afflictions, to purify our hearts and fit us for his service, we have cause to be very thankful.