“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
One who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.”

“It is an honor for a person to keep away from strife,
But any fool will quarrel.
The lazy person does not plow after the autumn,
So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.”

“A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water,
But a person of understanding draws it out.
Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a trustworthy person?”

“A righteous person who walks in his integrity—
How blessed are his sons after him.
A king who sits on the throne of justice
Disperses all evil with his eyes.”

“Who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin’?
Differing weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the Lord.”

“It is by his deeds that a boy distinguishes himself,
If his conduct is pure and right.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The Lord has made both of them.”

“Do not love sleep, otherwise you will become poor;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.
‘Bad, bad,’ says the buyer,
But when he goes his way, then he boasts.”

“There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;
But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.”

“Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger;
And for foreigners, seize a pledge from him.”

“Bread obtained by a lie is sweet to a person,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
Prepare plans by consultation,
And make war by wise guidance.”

“One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
He who curses his father or his mother,
His lamp will go out in time of darkness.”

“An inheritance gained quickly at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.
Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’;
Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”

“Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord,
And a false scale is not good.
A man’s steps are ordained by the Lord;
How then can man understand his way?”

“It is a trap for a person to say rashly, ‘It is holy!’
And after the vows to make inquiry.
A wise king scatters the wicked
And drives the threshing wheel over them.”

“The spirit of a person is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the innermost parts of his being.
Loyalty and truth protect the king,
And he upholds his throne by righteousness.”

“The glory of young men is their strength,
And the honor of old men is their gray hair.
Bruising wounds cleanse away evil,
And strokes reach the innermost parts.”

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Context and Meaning

Proverbs 20 focuses on wise judgment, self-control, honesty, and the inner life of a person before God.
It reveals the weight of wisdom — the kind that leads to stability, righteousness, and long-term blessing.

The chapter repeatedly highlights:

• God’s hatred of dishonesty
• The danger of rash decisions
• The need for patient justice
• The blessing of integrity
• God’s sovereign oversight over human paths

Key Themes:

1. Sobriety and Self-Control: Intoxication clouds judgment (v. 1).
2. Avoiding Quarrels: Wisdom seeks peace, not petty conflict (v. 3).
3. Diligence vs. Laziness: Laziness starves; hard work satisfies (v. 4, 13).
4. Integrity Over Image: Faithfulness is rare and precious (v. 6–7).
5. Universal Sinfulness: No one can claim a pure heart (v. 9).
6. Honest Scales: God hates deceit in all forms (v. 10, 23).
7. Patience in Justice: Wait for the Lord instead of repaying evil (v. 22).
8. God’s Sovereignty: Human steps are guided by God (v. 24).
9. God’s Inner Searchlight: The spirit is the lamp of the Lord (v. 27).

Reflection and Impact

Proverbs 20 calls us to live wisely under God’s searching gaze, trusting His guidance over our own impulses.

• God sees the heart – “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord” (v. 27) echoes Hebrews 4:13: all things are open and laid bare before His eyes.
• No one is pure on their own – “Who can say, I am pure?” (v. 9) connects to Romans 3:23: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
• Wait for God’s justice – “Do not say, I will repay evil” (v. 22) parallels Romans 12:19: vengeance is Mine, says the Lord.
• Steps ordained by the Lord – “A man’s steps are ordained by the Lord” (v. 24) matches Psalm 37:23: the steps of a righteous man are established by the Lord.
• Integrity blesses generations – “Blessed are his sons after him” (v. 7) reflects Exodus 34:7: God shows steadfast love to a thousand generations.
• Honesty is worship – “Differing weights are an abomination” (v. 23) recalls Micah 6:8: act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

Application

• Practice Self-Control: Avoid anything that clouds judgment or tempts foolishness.
• Choose Peace: Let wisdom turn you away from unnecessary conflict.
• Work Faithfully: Laziness steals from your own future.
• Walk in Integrity: Let your actions match your confession.
• Reject Dishonesty: Be truthful in every deal, detail, and word.
• Wait on God: Leave vengeance and justice in His hands.
• Trust His Guidance: Your steps are held by Him — walk humbly.
• Welcome His Searchlight: Invite God to examine your heart.

Closing Thought

Proverbs 20 teaches that wisdom is not loud or hurried — it is honest, patient, thoughtful, and humble.
It trusts God’s direction, embraces discipline, and walks in integrity even when no one is watching.

“A man’s steps are ordained by the Lord;
How then can man understand his way?”