Bible in Basic English

Proverbs 19

The Proverbs

Return to Index

Chapter 20

1


 

  Wine makes men foolish, and strong drink makes men come to blows; and whoever comes into error through these is not wise.  

 

 

-

2


 

  The wrath of a king is like the loud cry of a lion: he who makes him angry does wrong against himself.  

 

 

-

3


 

  It is an honour for a man to keep from fighting, but the foolish are ever at war.  

 

 

-

4


 

  The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.  

 

 

-

5


 

  The purpose in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of good sense will get it out.  

 

 

-

6


 

  Most men make no secret of their kind acts: but where is a man of good faith to be seen?  

 

 

-

7


 

  An upright man goes on in his righteousness: happy are his children after him!  

 

 

-

8


 

  A king on the seat of judging puts to flight all evil with his eyes.  

 

 

-

9


 

  Who is able to say, I have made my heart clean, I am free from my sin?  

 

 

-

10


 

  Unequal weights and unequal measures, they are all disgusting to the Lord.  

 

 

-

11


 

  Even a child may be judged by his doings, if his work is free from sin and if it is right.  

 

 

-

12


 

  The hearing ear and the seeing eye are equally the Lord's work.  

 

 

-

13


 

  Do not be a lover of sleep, or you will become poor: keep your eyes open, and you will have bread enough.  

 

 

-

14


 

  A poor thing, a poor thing, says he who is giving money for goods: but when he has gone on his way, then he makes clear his pride in what he has got.  

 

 

-

15


 

  There is gold and a store of corals: but the lips of knowledge are a jewel of great price.  

 

 

-

16


 

  Take a man's clothing if he makes himself responsible for a strange man, and get an undertaking from him who gives his word for strange men.  

 

 

-

17


 

  Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but after, his mouth will be full of sand.  

 

 

-

18


 

  Every purpose is put into effect by wise help: and by wise guiding make war.  

 

 

-

19


 

  He who goes about talking of the business of others gives away secrets: so have nothing to do with him whose lips are open wide.  

 

 

-

20


 

  If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.  

 

 

-

21


 

  A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing.  

 

 

-

22


 

  Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting for the Lord, and he will be your saviour.  

 

 

-

23


 

  Unequal weights are disgusting to the Lord, and false scales are not good.  

 

 

-

24


 

  A man's steps are of the Lord; how then may a man have knowledge of his way?  

 

 

-

25


 

  It is a danger to a man to say without thought, It is holy, and, after taking his oaths, to be questioning if it is necessary to keep them.  

 

 

-

26


 

  A wise king puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them.  

 

 

-

27


 

  The Lord keeps watch over the spirit of man, searching all the deepest parts of the body.  

 

 

-

28


 

  Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the seat of his power is based on upright acts.  

 

 

-

29


 

  The glory of young men is their strength, and the honour of old men is their grey hairs.  

 

 

-

30


 

  By the wounds of the rod evil is taken away, and blows make clean the deepest parts of the body.  

 

 

-

Proverbs 21

 

 

 

 

HTMLBible Software - Public Domain Software by johnhurt.com

 


Other Items are Available At These Sites: