Aa
1Wine is a mocker,20:1 Gn 9:21; Pr 23:29–30; Is 28:7; Hs 4:11 beer is a brawler;
whoever goes astray20:1 Or whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

2A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.20:2 Nm 16:38; Est 4:11; Pr 8:36; 19:12; 28:15; Hab 2:10

3Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,20:3 Pr 17:14
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.20:3 Pr 15:18; 18:6; 22:10

4The slacker does not plow during planting season;20:4 Lit plow in winter
at harvest time he looks,20:4 Lit inquires and there is nothing.20:4 Pr 24:27,30–34

5Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water;20:5 Pr 18:4
but a person of understanding draws it out.

6Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy person?20:6 Ps 53:2–3; Pr 28:20; Ec 7:28; Lk 18:8

7A righteous person acts with integrity;20:7 Pr 2:7,20–21; 10:9; 13:6
his children who come after him will be happy.20:7 Ps 37:26; 112:2

8A king sitting on a throne to judge
separates out all evil with his eyes.20:8 Pr 20:26; 25:5; Mt 25:32

9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”?20:9 1Kg 8:46; Jb 15:15–16; Ps 14:2–3; Ec 7:20; Rm 3:9–12; 1Jn 1:8

10Differing weights and varying measures20:10 Lit Stone and stone, measure and measure —
both are detestable to the Lord.20:10 Dt 25:14–15; Pr 11:1; 20:23; Mc 6:10–11

11Even a young man is known by his actions —
by whether his behavior is pure and upright.20:11 Pr 21:8; Mt 7:16

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye —
the Lord made them both.20:12 Ex 4:11; Ps 94:9; Pr 22:2; 29:13

13Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.20:13 Pr 6:10–11; 19:15; 24:33–34

14“It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.

15There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.20:15 Pr 3:15; 8:11

16Take his garment,
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.20:16 Dt 24:12–13; Pr 6:1–5; 11:15; 27:13

17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person,20:17 Pr 9:17
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.20:17 Lm 3:16

18Finalize plans with counsel,20:18 Pr 11:14; 15:22
and wage war with sound guidance.20:18 Pr 24:6; Lk 14:31

19The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;20:19 Lv 19:16; Pr 11:13
avoid someone with a big mouth.20:19 Pr 13:3

20Whoever curses his father or mother20:20 Ex 21:17; Pr 24:20; 30:11
his lamp will go out in deep darkness.20:20 Jb 18:5

21An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.20:21 Pr 21:5; 23:5; 28:22; Lk 15:11–13

22Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” 20:22 Pr 24:29; Mt 5:39; Rm 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pt 3:9
Wait on the Lord,20:22 Ps 27:14 and he will rescue you.20:22 Ps 37:7–9

23Differing weights20:23 Lit A stone and a stone are detestable to the Lord,20:23 Pr 20:10; Mc 6:11
and dishonest scales20:23 Pr 11:1 are unfair.

24Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord,20:24 Pr 16:9,33; 19:21
so how can anyone understand his own way?

25It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly
and later to reconsider his vows.20:25 Nm 30:2; Dt 23:21; Ec 5:4–6

26A wise king separates out the wicked20:26 Pr 20:8
and drives the threshing wheel20:26 Is 28:27 over them.

27The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,20:27 Lit breath
searching the innermost parts.20:27 Lit the chambers of the belly20:27 Ps 139:23; Pr 20:30; 1Co 2:11

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

29The glory of young men is their strength,
and the splendor of old men is gray hair.20:29 Lv 19:32; Pr 16:31

30Lashes and wounds purge away evil,20:30 Is 53:5
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly