Proverbs 20:17-30

¹⁷Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.

¹⁸Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!

¹⁹He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

²⁰Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

²¹An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.

²²Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.

²³The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

²⁴A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?

²⁵It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.

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

²⁷The spirit of man is the LORD’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

²⁸Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.

²⁹The glory of young men is their strength. The splendour of old men is their grey hair.

³⁰Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.