{"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/kjv/proverbs/20","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-27T03:43:03.536Z"},"reference":{"translation":"KJV","book":"Proverbs","bookSlug":"proverbs","chapter":20,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":19,"nextChapter":21,"totalChapters":31,"totalVerses":30},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"Wine <i>is</i> a mocker, strong drink <i>is</i> raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"The fear of a king <i>is</i> as the roaring of a lion: <i>whoso</i> provoketh him to anger sinneth <i>against</i> his own soul."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"<i>It is</i> an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; <i>therefore</i> shall he beg in harvest, and <i>have</i> nothing."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"Counsel in the heart of man <i>is like</i> deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?"},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"The just <i>man</i> walketh in his integrity: his children <i>are</i> blessed after him."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"A king that sitteth in 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, <i>and</i> divers measures, both of them <i>are</i> alike abomination to the LORD."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work <i>be</i> pure, and whether <i>it be</i> 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, <i>and</i> thou shalt be satisfied with bread."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"<i>It is</i> naught, <i>it is</i> naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge <i>are</i> a precious jewel."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"Take his garment that is surety <i>for</i> a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"Bread of deceit <i>is</i> sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"<i>Every</i> purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war."},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"He that goeth about <i>as</i> a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness."},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"An inheritance <i>may be</i> gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed."},{"verseNumber":22,"text":"Say not thou, I will recompense evil; <i>but</i> wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee."},{"verseNumber":23,"text":"Divers weights <i>are</i> an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance <i>is</i> not good."},{"verseNumber":24,"text":"Man's goings <i>are</i> of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?"},{"verseNumber":25,"text":"<i>It is</i> a snare to the man <i>who</i> devoureth <i>that which is</i> holy, and after vows to make inquiry."},{"verseNumber":26,"text":"A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them."},{"verseNumber":27,"text":"The spirit of man <i>is</i> the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward 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 <i>is</i> their strength: and the beauty of old men <i>is</i> the gray head."},{"verseNumber":30,"text":"The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so <i>do</i> stripes the inward parts of the belly."}],"citation":{"inline":"Proverbs 20 (KJV)","markdown":"[Proverbs 20](https://primebible.com/kjv/proverbs/20)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* KJV. https://primebible.com/kjv/proverbs/20 (accessed 2026-05-27)."}}