Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20 - King James Version

 1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

 2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

 3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

 4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

 5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

 6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

 7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

 8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

 9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

 10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

 11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

 12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

 13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

 14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

 15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

 16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

 17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

 18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

 19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

 20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

 21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

 22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

 23Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

 24Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

 25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

 26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

 27The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

 28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

 29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

 30The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19 - King James Version

 1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

 2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

 3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

 4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

 5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

 6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

 7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

 8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

 9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

 10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

 11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

 12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

 13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

 14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

 15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

 16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

 17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

 18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

 19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

 20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

 21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

 22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

 23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

 24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

 25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

 26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

 27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

 28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

 29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18 - King James Version

 1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

 2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

 3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

 4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

 5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

 6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

 7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

 8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

 9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

 11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

 12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

 13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

 14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

 15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

 16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

 17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

 18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

 19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

 20A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

 22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

 23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

 24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17 - King James Version

 1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

 2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

 3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

 4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

 5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

 6Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

 7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

 8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

 9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

 10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

 11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

 12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

 13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

 14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

 15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

 16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

 17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

 18A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

 19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

 20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

 21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

 22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

 23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

 24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

 25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

 26Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

 27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

 28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16 - King James Version

 1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

 2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

 3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

 4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

 5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

 6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

 7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

 8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

 9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

 10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

 11A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

 12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

 13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

 14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

 15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

 16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

 17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

 18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

 19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

 20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

 22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

 23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

 24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

 25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

 27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

 28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

 29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

 30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

 31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

 32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

 33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15 - King James Version

 1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

 2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

 3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

 5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

 8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

 9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

 10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

 11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

 12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

 13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

 14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

 15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

 16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

 18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

 19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

 20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

 21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

 22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

 23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

 24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

 25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

 26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

 27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

 28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

 29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

 30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

 31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

 32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.