Font Size
Proverbs 20
New International Reader's Version
Proverbs 20
New International Reader's Version
20 Wine causes you to make fun of others, and beer causes you to start fights.
Anyone who is led astray by them is not wise.
2 A king’s anger brings terror like a lion’s roar.
Anyone who makes him angry may lose their life.
3 Avoiding a fight brings honor to a person.
But every foolish person is quick to argue.
4 Anyone who refuses to work doesn’t plow in the right season.
When they look for a crop at harvest time, they don’t find it.
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are like deep water.
But one who has understanding brings them out.
6 Many claim to have love that never fails.
But who can find a faithful person?
7 Those who do what is right live without blame.
Blessed are their children after them.
8 A king sits on his throne to judge.
He gets rid of all evil when he sees it.
9 No one can say, “I have kept my heart pure.
I’m ‘clean,’ and I haven’t sinned.”
10 The Lord hates two things.
He hates weights that weigh things heavier or lighter than they really are.
He also hates measures that measure things larger or smaller than they really are.
11 Even small children are known by their actions.
So is their conduct really pure and right?
12 The Lord has made two things.
He has made ears that hear.
He has also made eyes that see.
13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor.
Stay awake, and you will have more food than you need.
14 “It’s no good. It’s no good!” says a buyer.
Then off they go and brag about what they bought.
15 There is gold, and there are plenty of rubies.
But lips that speak knowledge are a priceless jewel.
16 Take the coat of one who puts up money for what a stranger owes.
Hold it until you get paid back if it is done for an outsider.
17 Food gained by cheating tastes sweet.
But you will end up with a mouth full of gravel.
18 Plans are made by asking for guidance.
So if you go to war, get good advice.
19 A person who talks about others tells secrets.
So avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If anyone asks for bad things to happen to their father or mother,
that person’s lamp will be blown out in total darkness.
21 Property that you claim too soon
will not be blessed in the end.
22 Don’t say, “I’ll get even with you for the wrong you did to me!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will make things right for you.
23 The Lord hates weights that weigh things heavier or lighter than they really are.
Scales that are not honest don’t please him.
24 The Lord directs a person’s steps.
So how can anyone understand their own way?
25 A person is trapped if they make a hasty promise to God
and only later thinks about what they said.
26 A wise king gets rid of evil people.
He runs the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of a person is the lamp of the Lord.
It lights up what is deep down inside them.
28 Love and truth keep a king safe.
Faithful love makes his throne secure.
29 Young men are proud of their strength.
Gray hair brings honor to old men.
30 Blows and wounds scrub evil away.
And beatings make you pure deep down inside.
Proverbs 20
New International Version
Proverbs 20
New International Version
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(E)
those who anger him forfeit their lives.(F)
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(K)
but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?(L)
10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.(S)
11 Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure(T) and upright?
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.(U)
13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;(V)
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge(W) if it is done for an outsider.(X)
18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(AA)
19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(AB)
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If someone curses their father or mother,(AC)
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.(AD)
21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(AE)
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(AF)
23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.(AG)
24 A person’s steps are directed(AH) by the Lord.(AI)
How then can anyone understand their own way?(AJ)
25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.(AK)
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.(AL)
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.(AQ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are
New International Reader's Version (NIRV) 
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.