20:1
Wine is reckless, liquor rowdy; unwise is anyone whom it seduces.
20:2
Like the roaring of a lion is the fury of a king; whoever provokes him sins against himself.
20:3
It is praiseworthy to stop short of a law-suit; only a fool flies into a rage.
20:4
In autumn the idler does not plough, at harvest time he looks -- nothing there!
20:5
The resources of the human heart are like deep waters: an understanding person has only to draw on them.
20:6
Many describe themselves as people of faithful love, but who can find someone really to be trusted?
20:7
The upright whose ways are blameless -- blessed the children who come after!
20:8
A king enthroned on the judgement seat with one look scatters all that is evil.
20:9
Who can say, 'I have cleansed my heart, I am purified of my sin'?
20:10
One weight here, another there; here one measure, there another: both alike are abhorrent to Yahweh.
20:11
A young man's character appears in what he does, if his behaviour is pure and straight.
20:12
Ear that hears, eye that sees, Yahweh has made both of these.
20:13
Do not love sleep or you will know poverty; keep your eyes open and have your fill of food.
20:14
'No good, no good!' says the buyer, but he goes off congratulating himself.
20:15
There are gold and jewels of every type, but a priceless ornament is speech informed by knowledge.
20:16
Take the man's clothes! He has gone surety for a stranger. Take a pledge from him to the profit of persons unknown!
20:17
Bread is sweet when it is got by fraud, but later the mouth is full of grit.
20:18
Plans are matured by consultation; take wise advice when waging war.
20:19
The bearer of gossip lets out secrets; do not mingle with chatterers.
20:20
Whoever curses father or mother will have his lamp put out in the deepest darkness.
20:21
Property quickly come by at first will not be blessed in the end.
20:22
Do not say, 'I shall repay evil'; put your hope in Yahweh and he will keep you safe.
20:23
One weight here, another there: this is abhorrent to Yahweh, false scales are not good.
20:24
Yahweh guides the steps of the powerful: but who can comprehend human ways?
20:25
Anyone is trapped who cries 'Dedicated!' and begins to reflect only after the vow.
20:26
A wise king winnows the wicked and makes the wheel pass over them.
20:27
The human spirit is the lamp of Yahweh -- searching the deepest self.
20:28
Faithful love and loyalty mount guard over the king, his throne is founded on saving justice.
20:29
The pride of the young is their strength, the ornament of the old, grey hairs.
20:30
Wounding strokes are good medicine for evil, blows have an effect on the inmost self.
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