Proverbs 20 NRS/NIV - Online Parallel Bible

New Revised Standard (NRS) New International Version (NIV)
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion; anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself. 2 A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life.
3 It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. 3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4 The lazy person does not plow in season; harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found. 4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
5 The purposes in the human mind are like deep water, but the intelligent will draw them out. 5 The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Many proclaim themselves loyal, but who can find one worthy of trust? 6 Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?
7 The righteous walk in integrity— happy are the children who follow them! 7 The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. 8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"? 9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 10 Differing weights and differing measures-- the LORD detests them both.
11 Even children make themselves known by their acts, by whether what they do is pure and right. 11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye— the Lord has made them both. 12 Ears that hear and eyes that see-- the LORD has made them both.
14 "Bad, bad," says the buyer, then goes away and boasts. 14 "It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.
15 There is gold, and abundance of costly stones; but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel. 15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger; seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners. 16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.
17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet, but afterward the mouth will be full of gravel. 17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
18 Plans are established by taking advice; wage war by following wise guidance. 18 Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19 A gossip reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler. 19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
20 If you curse father or mother, your lamp will go out in utter darkness. 20 If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21 An estate quickly acquired in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. 21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will help you. 22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
23 Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good. 23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
24 All our steps are ordered by the Lord; how then can we understand our own ways? 24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?
26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and drives the wheel over them. 26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part. 27 The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.
28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by righteousness. 28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
29 The glory of youths is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair. 29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; beatings make clean the innermost parts. 30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.