1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
1 Wine H3196 is a mocker, H3887 strong drink H7941 is raging: H1993 and whosoever is deceived H7686 thereby is not wise. H2449
2 The fear H367 of a king H4428 is as the roaring H5099 of a lion: H3715 whoso provoketh him to anger H5674 sinneth H2398 against his own soul. H5315
3 It is an honour H3519 for a man H376 to cease H7674 from strife: H7379 but every fool H191 will be meddling. H1566
4 The sluggard H6102 will not plow H2790 by reason of the cold; H2779 therefore shall he beg H7592 H7592 in harvest, H7105 and have nothing.
5 Counsel H6098 in the heart H3820 of man H376 is like deep H6013 water; H4325 but a man H376 of understanding H8394 will draw it out. H1802
6 Most H7230 men H120 will proclaim H7121 every one H376 his own goodness: H2617 but a faithful H529 man H376 who can find? H4672
7 The just H6662 man walketh H1980 in his integrity: H8537 his children H1121 are blessed H835 after H310 him.
8 A king H4428 that sitteth in H3427 the throne H3678 of judgment H1779 scattereth away H2219 all evil H7451 with his eyes. H5869
9 Who can say, H559 I have made my heart H3820 clean, H2135 I am pure H2891 from my sin? H2403
10 Divers weights, H68 H68 and divers measures, H374 H374 both H8147 of them are alike H1571 abomination H8441 to the LORD. H3068
11 Even a child H5288 is known H5234 by his doings, H4611 whether his work H6467 be pure, H2134 and whether it be right. H3477
12 The hearing H8085 ear, H241 and the seeing H7200 eye, H5869 the LORD H3068 hath made H6213 even both H8147 of them.
13 Love H157 not sleep, H8142 lest thou come to poverty; H3423 open H6491 thine eyes, H5869 and thou shalt be satisfied H7646 with bread. H3899
14 It is naught, H7451 it is naught, H7451 saith H559 the buyer: H7069 but when he is gone H235 his way, then he boasteth. H1984
15 There is H3426 gold, H2091 and a multitude H7230 of rubies: H6443 but the lips H8193 of knowledge H1847 are a precious H3366 jewel. H3627
16 Take H3947 his garment H899 that is surety H6148 for a stranger: H2114 and take a pledge H2254 of him for a strange woman. H5237
17 Bread H3899 of deceit H8267 is sweet H6156 to a man; H376 but afterwards H310 his mouth H6310 shall be filled H4390 with gravel. H2687
18 Every purpose H4284 is established H3559 by counsel: H6098 and with good advice H8458 make H6213 war. H4421
19 He that goeth about H1980 as a talebearer H7400 revealeth H1540 secrets: H5475 therefore meddle H6148 not with him that flattereth H6601 with his lips. H8193
20 Whoso curseth H7043 his father H1 or his mother, H517 his lamp H5216 shall be put out H1846 in obscure H380 H380 darkness. H2822
21 An inheritance H5159 may be gotten hastily H926 H973 at the beginning; H7223 but the end H319 thereof shall not be blessed. H1288
22 Say H559 not thou, I will recompense H7999 evil; H7451 but wait on H6960 the LORD, H3068 and he shall save H3467 thee.
23 Divers weights H68 H68 are an abomination H8441 unto the LORD; H3068 and a false H4820 balance H3976 is not good. H2896
24 Man's H1397 goings H4703 are of the LORD; H3068 how can a man H120 then understand H995 his own way? H1870
25 It is a snare H4170 to the man H120 who devoureth H3216 that which is holy, H6944 and after H310 vows H5088 to make enquiry. H1239
26 A wise H2450 king H4428 scattereth H2219 the wicked, H7563 and bringeth H7725 the wheel H212 over them.
27 The spirit H5397 of man H120 is the candle H5216 of the LORD, H3068 searching H2664 all the inward parts H2315 of the belly. H990
28 Mercy H2617 and truth H571 preserve H5341 the king: H4428 and his throne H3678 is upholden H5582 by mercy. H2617
29 The glory H8597 of young men H970 is their strength: H3581 and the beauty H1926 of old men H2205 is the gray head. H7872
30 The blueness H2250 of a wound H6482 cleanseth H8562 away evil: H7451 so do stripes H4347 the inward parts H2315 of the belly. H990
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth `against' his own life.
3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is `like' deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?
7 A righteous man that walketh in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him.
8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10 Diverse weights, and diverse measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
11 Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, let thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, `and' thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge `that is surety' for foreigners.
17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.
19 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 An inheritance `may be' gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.
23 Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; And a false balance is not good.
24 A man's goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?
25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say, `It is' holy, And after vows to make inquiry.
26 A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the `threshing' -wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts.
28 Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.
29 The glory of young men is their strength; And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
30 Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokes `reach' the innermost parts.
1 Wine `is' a scorner -- strong drink `is' noisy, And any going astray in it is not wise.
2 The fear of a king `is' a growl as of a young lion, He who is causing him to be wroth is wronging his soul.
3 An honour to a man is cessation from strife, And every fool intermeddleth.
4 Because of winter the slothful plougheth not, He asketh in harvest, and there is nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of a man `is' deep water, And a man of understanding draweth it up.
6 A multitude of men proclaim each his kindness, And a man of stedfastness who doth find?
7 The righteous is walking habitually in his integrity, O the happiness of his sons after him!
8 A king sitting on a throne of judgment, Is scattering with his eyes all evil,
9 Who saith, `I have purified my heart, I have been cleansed from my sin?'
10 A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah, Even both of them `are' an abomination to Jehovah.
11 Even by his actions a youth maketh himself known, Whether his work be pure or upright.
12 A hearing ear, and a seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou become poor, Open thine eyes -- be satisfied `with' bread.
14 `Bad, bad,' saith the buyer, And going his way then he boasteth himself.
15 Substance, gold, and a multitude of rubies, Yea, a precious vessel, `are' lips of knowledge.
16 Take his garment when a stranger hath been surety, And for strangers pledge it.
17 Sweet to a man `is' the bread of falsehood, And afterwards is his mouth filled `with' gravel.
18 Purposes by counsel thou dost establish, And with plans make thou war.
19 A revealer of secret counsels is the busybody, And for a deceiver `with' his lips make not thyself surety.
20 Whoso is vilifying his father and his mother, Extinguished is his lamp in blackness of darkness.
21 An inheritance gotten wrongly at first, Even its latter end is not blessed.
22 Do not say, `I recompense evil,' Wait for Jehovah, and He delivereth thee.
23 An abomination to Jehovah `are' a stone and a stone, And balances of deceit `are' not good.
24 From Jehovah `are' the steps of a man, And man -- how understandeth he his way?
25 A snare to a man `is' he hath swallowed a holy thing, And after vows to make inquiry.
26 A wise king is scattering the wicked, And turneth back on them the wheel.
27 The breath of man `is' a lamp of Jehovah, Searching all the inner parts of the heart.
28 Kindness and truth keep a king, And he hath supported by kindness his throne.
29 The beauty of young men is their strength, And the honour of old men is grey hairs.
30 The bandages of a wound thou removest with the evil, Also the plagues of the inner parts of the heart!
1 Wine is a scorner, strong drink is raging; and whoso erreth thereby is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool rusheth into it.
4 The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is deep water, and a man of understanding draweth it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; but a faithful man who shall find?
7 The righteous walketh in his integrity: blessed are his children after him!
8 A king sitting on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10 Divers weights, divers measures, even both of them are abomination to Jehovah.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 Bad! bad! saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious Jewel.
16 Take his garment that is become surety [for] another, and hold him in pledge for strangers.
17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Plans are established by counsel; and with good advice make war.
19 He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
21 An inheritance obtained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
22 Say not, I will recompense evil: wait on Jehovah, and he shall save thee.
23 Divers weights are an abomination unto Jehovah; and a false balance is not good.
24 The steps of a man are from Jehovah; and how can a man understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is hallowed, and after vows to make inquiry.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27 Man's spirit is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inner parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king; and he upholdeth his throne by mercy.
29 The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
30 Wounding stripes purge away evil, and strokes [purge] the inner parts of the belly.
1 Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler; Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion: He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarreling.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, But who can find a faithful man?
7 A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?"
10 Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings, Whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.
13 Don't love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 "It's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; And hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, But afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Plans are established by advice; By wise guidance you wage war!
19 He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; Therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, Won't be blessed in the end.
22 Don't say, "I will pay back evil." Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
23 Yahweh detests differing weights, And dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 A man's steps are from Yahweh; How then can man understand his way?
25 It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, Then later to consider his vows.
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is Yahweh's lamp, Searching all his innermost parts.
28 Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Wounding blows cleanse away evil, And beatings purge the innermost parts.
1 Wine makes men foolish, and strong drink makes men come to blows; and whoever comes into error through these is not wise.
2 The wrath of a king is like the loud cry of a lion: he who makes him angry does wrong against himself.
3 It is an honour for a man to keep from fighting, but the foolish are ever at war.
4 The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.
5 The purpose in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of good sense will get it out.
6 Most men make no secret of their kind acts: but where is a man of good faith to be seen?
7 An upright man goes on in his righteousness: happy are his children after him!
8 A king on the seat of judging puts to flight all evil with his eyes.
9 Who is able to say, I have made my heart clean, I am free from my sin?
10 Unequal weights and unequal measures, they are all disgusting to the Lord.
11 Even a child may be judged by his doings, if his work is free from sin and if it is right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye are equally the Lord's work.
13 Do not be a lover of sleep, or you will become poor: keep your eyes open, and you will have bread enough.
14 A poor thing, a poor thing, says he who is giving money for goods: but when he has gone on his way, then he makes clear his pride in what he has got.
15 There is gold and a store of corals: but the lips of knowledge are a jewel of great price.
16 Take a man's clothing if he makes himself responsible for a strange man, and get an undertaking from him who gives his word for strange men.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but after, his mouth will be full of sand.
18 Every purpose is put into effect by wise help: and by wise guiding make war.
19 He who goes about talking of the business of others gives away secrets: so have nothing to do with him whose lips are open wide.
20 If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.
21 A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing.
22 Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting for the Lord, and he will be your saviour.
23 Unequal weights are disgusting to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
24 A man's steps are of the Lord; how then may a man have knowledge of his way?
25 It is a danger to a man to say without thought, It is holy, and, after taking his oaths, to be questioning if it is necessary to keep them.
26 A wise king puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them.
27 The Lord keeps watch over the spirit of man, searching all the deepest parts of the body.
28 Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the seat of his power is based on upright acts.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the honour of old men is their grey hairs.
30 By the wounds of the rod evil is taken away, and blows make clean the deepest parts of the body.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 20
Commentary on Proverbs 20 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 20
Pr 20:1-30.
1. mocker—scorner. Such men are made by wine.
strong drink—made by spicing wine (compare Isa 5:11, 22); and it may include wine.
raging—or boisterous as a drunkard.
deceived—literally, "erring," or reeling.
2. (Compare Pr 19:12). Men who resist authority injure themselves (Ro 13:2).
3. to cease from strife—or, better, "to dwell from or without strife," denoting the habit of life.
fool … meddling—(Pr 17:14).
4. shall … beg—literally, "ask" (in this sense, Ps 109:10).
5. Counsel … water—that is, deeply hidden (Pr 18:4; Ps 13:2). The wise can discern well.
6. Boasters are unreliable.
goodness—or, "kind disposition."
7. The conduct of good men proclaims their sound principles. God's covenant and their good example secure blessing to their children (Pr 4:26; Ps 112:1, 2).
8. As in Pr 14:35; 16:10, 15, this is the character of a good king, not of all kings.
9. The interrogation in the affirmative strengthens the implied negation (compare Job 15:14; Ec 7:20).
10. Various measures, implying that some are wrong (compare Pr 11:1; 16:11).
11. The conduct of children even is the best test of principle (compare Mt 7:16).
12. Hence, of course, God will know all you do (Ps 94:9).
13. Activity and diligence contrasted with sloth (Pr 6:9; 10:11).
lest … poverty—literally, "be deprived of inheritance."
14. when … his way—implying that he goes about boasting of his bargains.
15. The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare Pr 3:14-16).
16. Take his garment—implies severe exaction, justified by the surety's rashness.
a strange woman—by some readings "strangers," but the former here, and in Pr 27:13, is allowable, and strengthens the sense. The debauchee is less reliable than the merely careless.
17. Bread … sweet—either as unlawfully (Pr 9:17) or easily obtained.
mouth … gravel—well expresses the pain and grief given at last.
18. (Compare Pr 15:22). Be careful and considerate in important plans.
19. Those who love to tell news will hardly keep secrets.
flattereth … lips—(compare Margin; Pr 1:10).
meddle … him—literally, "join," or "associate with."
20. his lamp—(Compare Pr 13:9; 24:20).
21. gotten hastily—contrary to God's providence (Pr 28:20), implying its unjust or easy attainment; hence the man is punished, or spends freely what he got easily (compare Pr 20:17).
22. (Compare Ps 27:14; Ro 12:17-19).
23. (Compare Pr 20:10; 11:1).
24. Man's goings—literally, "Stately steppings of a strong man."
a man—any common man.
understand—or, "perceive."
25. devoureth … holy—or, better, "who rashly speaks promises," or "devotes what is holy," consecrating any thing. This suits better the last clause, which expresses a similar view of the results of rashly vowing.
26. (Compare Pr 20:8).
bringeth … over them—The wheel was used for threshing grain. The figure denotes severity (compare Am 1:3).
27. The spirit … Lord—Men's minds are God's gifts, and thus able to search one another (compare Pr 20:5; Pr 18:8, 17; 1Co 2:11).
28. (Compare Pr 3:3; 16:6, 12).
29. The glory of young men … the beauty of old men—Each age has its peculiar excellence (Pr 16:31).
30. blueness—literally, "joining," the process of uniting the edges of a wound throws off purulent matter.
stripes … belly—So punishment provides healing of soul (Pr 18:8), by deterring from evil courses.