Proverbs 20:20-30

20 Whoever curses his father or mother- his lamp will go out in deep darkness.^[a]

21 An inheritance gained prematurely will not be blessed ultimately.^[b]

22 Don't say, "I will avenge this evil!" Wait on the Lord, and He will rescue you.^[c]

23 Differing weights^[d] are detestable to the Lord, and dishonest scales are unfair.^[e]

24 A man's steps are determined by the Lord,^[f] so how can anyone understand his own way?

25 It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows.^[g]

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

27 A person's breath is the lamp of the Lord, searching the innermost parts.^{[h] [i]}

28 Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king; through loyalty he maintains his throne.

29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair.^[j]

30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.^[k]

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 24:20; Ex 21:17
• [b] Pr 21:5; 23:5; 28:22
• [c] Ps 37:7-9
• [d] Lit A stone and a stone
• [e] Pr 11:1; 20:10; Mc 6:11
• [f] Pr 16:9,33; 19:21
• [g] Nm 30:2; Dt 23:21; Ec 5:4-6
• [h] Lit the chambers of the belly
• [i] Pr 20:30; Ps 139:23
• [j] Pr 16:31; Lv 19:32
• [k] Lit beatings the chambers of the belly