Proverbs 20
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)Translation
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
World English Bible
1Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
1Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them 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 like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
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 by reason of the winter; 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?
6Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
7A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
8A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters 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 pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
10Differing weights and differing 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 makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.
13Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
13Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
14“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
15There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
16Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
17Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
18Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
19He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
20Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
21An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
22Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
22Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.
23Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
23The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
24A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
25It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
25It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
26A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing 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 LORD’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
28Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
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. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
30Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
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