Parallel Bible results for "proverbs 20"

Proverbs 20

The Complete Jewish Bible CJB

1 Wine is a mocker, strong liquor a rowdy; anyone led astray by it is unwise.

2 The dread of a king is like when a lion roars; he who makes him angry commits a life-threatening sin.

3 Avoiding quarrels brings a person honor; for any fool can explode in anger.

4 A lazy person won't plow in winter; so at harvest-time, when he looks, there is nothing.

5 The heart's real intentions are like deep water; but a person with discernment draws them out.

6 Most people announce that they show kindness, but who can find someone faithful [enough to do it]?

7 The righteous live a life of integrity; happy are their children after them.

8 The king seated on his judgment throne can winnow out all evil with his glance.

9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed from my sin"?

10 False weights and false measures -ADONAI detests them both.

11 The character of even a child is known by how he acts, by whether his deeds are pure and right.

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye -ADONAI made them both.

13 If you love sleep, you will become poor; keep your eyes open, and you'll have plenty of food.

14 "Really bad stuff!" says the buyer [to the seller]; then he goes off and brags [about his bargain].

15 A person may have gold and a wealth of pearls, but lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Seize his clothes, because he guaranteed a stranger's loan; take them as security for that unknown woman.

17 Food obtained by fraud may taste good, but later the mouth is full of gravel.

18 After consultation, plans succeed; so take wise advice when waging war.

19 A gossip goes around revealing secrets, so don't get involved with a talkative person.

20 Whoever curses his father or mother -his lamp will go out in total darkness.

21 Possessions acquired quickly at first will not be blessed in the end.

22 Don't say, "I'll pay back evil for evil"; wait for ADONAI to save you.

23 ADONAI detests a double standard in weights, and false scales are not good.

24 A man's steps are ordered by ADONAI, so how can a person understand his own ways?

25 It is a snare to dedicate a gift to God rashly and reflect on the vows only afterwards.

26 A wise king winnows the wicked [from the righteous] and threshes them under the cartwheel.

27 The human spirit is a lamp of ADONAI; it searches one's inmost being.

28 Grace and truth preserve a king; with grace he upholds his throne.

29 The pride of the young is their strength; the dignity of the old is gray hair.

30 Blows that wound purge away evil, yes, beatings [cleanse] one's inmost being.

The Message Bible MSG

1 Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome - a staggering drunk is not much fun.

2 Quick-tempered leaders are like mad dogs - cross them and they bite your head off.

3 It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.

4 A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall.

5 Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.

6 Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one?

7 God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.

8 Leaders who know their business and care keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap,

9 For who among us can be trusted to be always diligent and honest?

10 Switching price tags and padding the expense account are two things God hates.

11 Young people eventually reveal by their actions if their motives are on the up and up. Drinking from the Chalice of Knowledge

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see - we get our basic equipment from God!

13 Don't be too fond of sleep; you'll end up in the poorhouse. Wake up and get up; then there'll be food on the table.

14 The shopper says, "That's junk - I'll take it off your hands," then goes off boasting of the bargain.

15 Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.

16 Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger; beware of accepting what a transient has pawned.

17 Stolen bread tastes sweet, but soon your mouth is full of gravel.

18 Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get.

19 Gossips can't keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths.

20 Anyone who curses father and mother extinguishes light and exists benighted. The Very Steps We Take

21 A bonanza at the beginning is no guarantee of blessing at the end.

22 Don't ever say, "I'll get you for that!" Wait for God; he'll settle the score.

23 God hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage.

24 The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we're going?

25 An impulsive vow is a trap; later you'll wish you could get out of it.

26 After careful scrutiny, a wise leader makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.

27 God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out.

28 Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.

29 Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age.

30 A good thrashing purges evil; punishment goes deep within us.