GOODMORNING!

Proverbs 20

Words of Wisdom Are Better than Gold

¹It isn’t smart to get drunk!Drinking makes a fool of you

and leads to fights.

²An angry ruler

is like a roaring lion–

make either one angry,

and you are dead.

³It makes you look good

when you avoid a fight–

only fools love to quarrel.

⁴If you are too lazy to plow,

don’t expect a harvest.

⁵Someone’s thoughts may be

as deep as the ocean,

but if you are smart,

you will discover them.

⁶There are many who say,

“You can trust me!”

But can they be trusted?

⁷Good people live right,

and God blesses the children

who follow their example.

⁸When rulers decide cases,

they weigh the evidence.

⁹Can any of us really say,

“My thoughts are pure,

and my sins are gone”?

¹⁰Two things the LORD hates

are dishonest scales

and dishonest measures.

¹¹The good or bad

that children do

shows what they are like.

¹²Hearing and seeing

are gifts from the LORD.

¹³If you sleep all the time,

you will starve;

if you get up and work,

you will have enough food.

¹⁴Everyone likes to brag

about getting a bargain.

¹⁵Sensible words are better

than gold or jewels.

¹⁶You deserve to lose your coat

if you loan it to someone

to guarantee payment

for the debt of a stranger.

¹⁷The food you get by cheating

may taste delicious,

but it turns to gravel.

¹⁸Be sure you have sound advice

before making plans

or starting a war.

¹⁹Stay away from gossips–

they tell everything.

²⁰Children who curse their parents

will go to the land of darkness

long before their time.

²¹Getting rich quick ^[a] may turn out to be a curse.

²²Don’t try to get even.

Trust the LORD,

and he will help you.

²³The LORD hates dishonest scales

and dishonest weights.

So don’t cheat!

²⁴How can we know

what will happen to us

when the LORD alone decides?

²⁵Don’t fall into the trap

of making promises to God

before you think!

²⁶A wise ruler severely punishes

every criminal.

²⁷Our inner thoughts are a lamp

from the LORD,

and they search our hearts.

²⁸Rulers are protected

by God’s mercy and loyalty,

but ^[b] they must be merciful for their kingdoms to last.

²⁹Young people take pride

in their strength,

but the gray hairs of wisdom

are even more beautiful.

³⁰A severe beating can knock all

of the evil out of you!