Proverbs 20:4-14

4 A slow man would not ear for cold; therefore he shall beg in summer, and men shall not give to him. (A lazy person will not plow when it is cold; then at harvest time he shall beg, but others shall not give him anything.)
5 As deep water, so counsel is in the heart of a man; but a wise man shall draw it out. (Advice in a person's heart can be like deep water/can be as deep as the water; but a wise person shall draw it out.)
6 Many men be called merciful; but who shall find a faithful man? (Many people be called, or be thought to be, merciful; but who shall truly find a faithful person?)
7 Forsooth a just man that goeth in his simpleness, shall leave blessed sons after him. (For a righteous person who goeth in his honesty, or in his integrity, shall leave blessed sons and daughters after him.)
8 A king that sitteth in the seat of doom, destroyeth all evil by his looking. (A king who sitteth on the seat of judgement, knoweth evil when he seeth it.)
9 Who may say, Mine heart is clean; I am clean of sin?
10 A weight, greater in buying, and a weight, less(er) in selling, a measure and a measure, ever either is abominable at God (these be abominable to God).
11 A child is understood by his studies (Even a child is known by his deeds), if his works be rightful and clean.
12 An ear hearing, and an eye seeing [The hearing ear, and the seeing eye], God made ever either (God made them both).
13 Do not thou love sleep, lest neediness oppress thee; open thine eyes, and be thou [ful]filled with loaves.
14 Each buyer saith, It is evil, it is evil; and when he hath gone away, then he shall have glory (but after he hath gone away, then he shall boast about it).
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.