Proverbs 20:8-18

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.[a]
9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin"?[b]
10 Differing weights and varying measures[c]- both are detestable to the Lord.[d]
11 Even a young man is known by his actions- by whether his behavior is pure and upright.[e]
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye- the Lord made them both.[f]
13 Don't love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you'll have enough to eat.[g]
14 "It's worthless, it's worthless!" the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.
15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.[h]
16 Take his garment,[i] for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.[j]
17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Finalize plans through counsel, and wage war with sound guidance.[k]

Footnotes 11

  • [a]. Pr 20:26
  • [b]. Jb 15:15-16; Ps 14:2-3; Rm 3:9-12
  • [c]. Lit Stone and stone, measure and measure
  • [d]. Pr 11:1; 20:23; Dt 25:14-15; Mc 6:10-11
  • [e]. Pr 21:8
  • [f]. Pr 22:2; 29:13
  • [g]. Pr 6:10-11; 24:33-34
  • [h]. Pr 3:15; 8:11
  • [i]. A debtor's outer garment held as collateral; Dt 24:12-13,17; Jb 22:6
  • [j]. Pr 6:1-5; 11:15; 27:13
  • [k]. Pr 11:14; 15:22; 24:6
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