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Proverbs 20, RSV

20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

20:2 The dread wrath of a king is like the growling of a lion; he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

20:3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

20:4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

20:5 The purpose in a man's mind is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

20:6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but a faithful man who can find?

20:7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity -- blessed are his sons after him!

20:8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.

20:9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"?

20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he does is pure and right.

20:12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.

20:13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

20:14 "It is bad, it is bad," says the buyer; but when he goes away, then he boasts.

20:15 There is gold, and abundance of costly stones; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

20:16 Take a man's garment when he has given surety for a stranger, and hold him in pledge when he gives surety for foreigners.

20:17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

20:18 Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.

20:19 He who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who speaks foolishly.

20:20 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

20:21 An inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning will in the end not be blessed.

20:22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will help you.

20:23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.

20:24 A man's steps are ordered by the LORD; how then can man understand his way?

20:25 It is a snare for a man to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making his vows.

20:26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and drives the wheel over them.

20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.

20:28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by righteousness.

20:29 The glory of young men is their strength, but the beauty of old men is their gray hair.

20:30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.

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