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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 20 NIV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/proverbs/20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" 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href="../proverbs/19.htm" title="Proverbs 19">◄</a> Proverbs 20 <a href="../proverbs/21.htm" title="Proverbs 21">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New International Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/niv/esv/proverbs/20.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;</p><p class="line2">whoever is led astray by them is not wise.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;</p><p class="line2">those who anger him forfeit their lives.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,</p><p class="line2">but every fool is quick to quarrel.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Sluggards do not plow in season;</p><p class="line2">so at harvest time they look but find nothing.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,</p><p class="line2">but one who has insight draws them out.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Many claim to have unfailing love,</p><p class="line2">but a faithful person who can find?</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>The righteous lead blameless lives;</p><p class="line2">blessed are their children after them.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>When a king sits on his throne to judge,</p><p class="line2">he winnows out all evil with his eyes.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;</p><p class="line2">I am clean and without sin”?</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Differing weights and differing measures—</p><p class="line2">the <span class="name">Lord</span> detests them both.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Even small children are known by their actions,</p><p class="line2">so is their conduct really pure and upright?</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Ears that hear and eyes that see—</p><p class="line2">the <span class="name">Lord</span> has made them both.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;</p><p class="line2">stay awake and you will have food to spare.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—</p><p class="line2">then goes off and boasts about the purchase.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,</p><p class="line2">but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;</p><p class="line2">hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,</p><p class="line2">but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Plans are established by seeking advice;</p><p class="line2">so if you wage war, obtain guidance.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>A gossip betrays a confidence;</p><p class="line2">so avoid anyone who talks too much.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>If someone curses their father or mother,</p><p class="line2">their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>An inheritance claimed too soon</p><p class="line2">will not be blessed at the end.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”</p><p class="line2">Wait for the <span class="name">Lord</span>, and he will avenge you.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>The <span class="name">Lord</span> detests differing weights,</p><p class="line2">and dishonest scales do not please him.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>A person’s steps are directed by the <span class="name">Lord</span>.</p><p class="line2">How then can anyone understand their own way?</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>It is a trap to dedicate something rashly</p><p class="line2">and only later to consider one’s vows.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>A wise king winnows out the wicked;</p><p class="line2">he drives the threshing wheel over them.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>The human spirit is <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or A person's words are">a</a></sup></span> the lamp of the <span class="name">Lord</span></p><p class="line2">that sheds light on one’s inmost being.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;</p><p class="line2">through love his throne is made secure.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>The glory of young men is their strength,</p><p class="line2">gray hair the splendor of the old.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Blows and wounds scrub away evil,</p><p class="line2">and beatings purge the inmost being.</p></div><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="footnotes"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">a</span> <span class="fnverse">27</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>A person’s words are</i></span><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><p class="ntext"><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/version.htm">New International Version</a> (NIV)</p><p class="ntext2">Holy Bible, New International Version&reg, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="http://biblica.com">Biblica, Inc.</a>® Used by permission. 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