Proverbs 20:4-26

⁴Because it is winter's cold, will the sluggard not plough: when he therefore seeketh in the harvest time, there will be nothing.

⁵Like deep water is counsel in the heart of man; but the man of understanding will draw it out.

⁶Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; but who can find a faithful man?

⁷The righteous walketh in his integrity: happy will be his children after him.

⁸A king that sitteth on the throne of justice scattereth away with his eyes all evil.

⁹Who can say, I have made my heart pure, I am cleansed from my sin.

¹⁰Divers weights, and divers measures, are both of them alike an abomination of the Lord.

¹¹Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, whether his work will be pure, and whether it will be upright.

¹²The ear that heareth, and the eye that seeth, the Lord hath made both of them alike.

¹³Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thy eyes, so wilt thou be satisfied with bread.

¹⁴It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then doth he boast.

¹⁵There is gold, and a multitude of pearls; but a precious vessel are the lips of knowledge.

¹⁶Take away his garment, because he hath become surety for a stranger; and on account of a strange woman take a pledge from him.

¹⁷Bread of falsehood is pleasant to a man; but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel-stones.

¹⁸Plans are established by counsel; and with wise reflection conduct war.

¹⁹He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that enticeth with his lips.

²⁰Whoso curseth his father or his mother—his lamp shall be quenched in obscure darkness.

²¹An inheritance hastily gotten at the beginning will at its end not be blessed,

²²Do not say, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he will help thee.

²³Divers weights are an abomination of the Lord; and a deceitful balance is not good.

²⁴From the Lord are the steps of man ordained; but man— how can he understand his own way?

²⁵It is a snare to a man to sanctify things hastily, and to make inquiry only after having made vows.

²⁶A wise king scattereth the wicked, and turneth over them the threshing-wheel.