Proverbs 20:3-29

³Avoiding conflict is the proper thing to do, but stupid people are quick to argue.

⁴Slackers don't sow when they should, so when harvest comes they don't have anything.

⁵Discovering what someone is planning in their mind is like looking at deep water, but a person who has understanding will find out.

⁶Many people tell you they're loyal, but can you find someone really trustworthy?

⁷Good people live honestly; how happy are their children if they follow them.

⁸When a king sits in judgment he recognizes all that isn't right.

⁹Who can claim, “I've made sure my conscience is clean; I've purified myself from sin”?

¹⁰The Lord hates both dishonest weights and dishonest measures.

¹¹Even children reveal what they're like by what they do, whether their actions are good and right.

¹²The Lord made our ears to hear and our eyes to see.

¹³If you love sleeping you'll become poor. Wake up and get busy, and you'll have plenty to eat.

¹⁴“It's really rubbish,” says the one buying, but afterwards goes and boasts to others about making a good deal.

¹⁵There's gold and plenty of expensive gemstones, but talking sense is a more valuable jewel.

¹⁶If someone guarantees a stranger's debt with their cloak, be sure to take it! Make sure you have whatever is pledged to foreigners!

¹⁷Food you get by cheating may taste sweet, but afterwards it will be like a mouthful of gravel.

¹⁸With sound advice, plans are successful; if you're going to war, make sure you have good guidance.

¹⁹A gossip goes around revealing secrets; stay away from people who talk a lot.

²⁰Anyone who curses their father or mother will have their light put out and end in utter darkness.

²¹Wealth gained too soon won't do you any good in the end.

²²Don't say, “I'll get you back for doing me wrong.” Leave it to the Lord, and he'll help you.

²³The Lord hates incorrect weights; using dishonest scales is wrong.

²⁴The Lord shows us the way to go, so how would we decide for ourselves?

²⁵It's a mistake to make a promise to God and then have second thoughts about it later.

²⁶A wise king separates out the wicked by winnowing and punishes them by threshing.

²⁷The Lord's light shines on the conscience, revealing our deepest thoughts.

²⁸Trustworthy love and faithfulness keep a king safe; trustworthy love supports his rule.

²⁹Young men value their strength, but the old value even more the wisdom that comes with gray hair.