Proverbs 20
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)Translation
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
1Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.
2As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.
3It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
3It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.
4Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
4The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.
5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?
7The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
7He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.
8The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
8A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
9Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?
10Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
13Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.
14It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
14'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.
17The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
18Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.
19Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
20He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
21The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
21An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
22Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for the LORD, and He will save thee.
23Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
23Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
24A man's goings are of the LORD; how then can man look to his way?
25It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
25It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.
26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
26A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.
27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
27The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts.
28Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
28Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.
29The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
29The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
30The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
30Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.
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