The Word Am I

The Proverbs

Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 20 -

Integrity of the righteous man

1
Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
2
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
3
It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
4
Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
5
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.
6
Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
7
The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
8
The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
9
Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
10
Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
11
By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
12
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
13
Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
14
It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.

Inheritance seized in haste

15
There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16
Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
17
The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18
Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
19
Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
20
He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
21
The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
22
Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
23
Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
24
The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
25
It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
26
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
27
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
28
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29
The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
30
The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.

Integrity of the righteous man

1
Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
4
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7
A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8
A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.
13
Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14
It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

Inheritance seized in haste

15
There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
22
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.
23
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24
A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
25
It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27
The spirit of man is the LORD’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.