{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/20","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-30T20:26:04.902Z"},"reference":{"translation":"ERV","book":"Proverbs","bookSlug":"proverbs","chapter":20,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":19,"nextChapter":21,"totalChapters":31,"totalVerses":30},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife: but every fool will be quarrelling."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"Most men wilt proclaim every one his own kindness: but a faithful man who can find?"},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"A just man that walketh in his integrity, blessed are his children after him."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?"},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"There is gold, and abundance of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for strangers."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"Every purpose is established by counsel: and by wise guidance make thou war,"},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness."},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed."},{"verseNumber":22,"text":"Say not thou, I will recompense evil: wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee."},{"verseNumber":23,"text":"Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good."},{"verseNumber":24,"text":"A man's goings are of the LORD; how then can man understand his way?"},{"verseNumber":25,"text":"It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, and after vows to make inquiry."},{"verseNumber":26,"text":"A wise king winnoweth the wicked, and bringeth the threshing wheel over them."},{"verseNumber":27,"text":"The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the innermost parts of the belly."},{"verseNumber":28,"text":"Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy."},{"verseNumber":29,"text":"The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the hoary head."},{"verseNumber":30,"text":"Stripes that wound cleanse away evil: and strokes reach the innermost parts of the belly."}],"citation":{"inline":"Proverbs 20 (ERV)","markdown":"[Proverbs 20](https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/20)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* ERV. https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/20 (accessed 2026-05-30)."}}