BDJ
Español
English
Proverbs 20
1 Wine is reckless, strong drink quarrelsome; unwise is he whom it seduces.
2 Like the roaring of a lion the fury of a king; whoever provokes his anger wrongs his own life.
3 It is to a man’s honour if he avoids quarrels, but fools never exercise self-control.
4 Autumn is over but the idler does not plough, at harvest time he looks-nothing there!
5 Deep in water are the purposes in human hearts, the discerning man has only to draw them out.
6 Many describe themselves as kindly men, but who can find a man really to be trusted?
7 A virtuous man whose ways are blameless-happy his children after him!
8 A king enthroned on the judgement seat with one look scatters all that is evil.
9 What man can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart, I am purified of my sin’?
10 One weight here, another there; here one measure, there another: both alike are abhorrent to Yahweh.
11 Even at play a child reveals whether his actions will be pure and right.
12 Ear that hears, eye that sees, Yahweh has made both of these.
13 Do not love sleep or you will know poverty; keep your eyes open and have bread and to spare.
14 ‘No good, no good!’ says the buyer, but he goes off congratulating himself.
15 There is gold, and profusion of pearls, but lips that speak of knowledge, that is the priceless ornament.
16 Take the man’s clothes! He has gone surety for a stranger. Seize him to the profit of persons unknown!
17 A man finds bread sweet when it is got by fraud, but later his mouth is full of grit.
18 Weigh your plans in consultation, with sound guidance wage your war.
19 The bearer of gossip lets out secrets; have nothing to do with chatterers.
20 Whoever curses father or mother in blackest darkness shall have his lamp snuffed out.
21 Property quickly come by at first will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; put your hope in Yahweh and he will keep you safe.
23 One weight here, another there: this is abhorrent to Yahweh, false scales are not good.
24 Yahweh guides a man’s steps: how could man discern the way he goes?
25 A man is trapped when he shouts ‘Dedicated!’ and only begins to reflect after the vow.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and makes their spite recoil on themselves.
27 Man’s spirit is the lamp of Yahweh, searching his deepest self.
28 Kindness and loyalty mount guard over the king, his throne is founded on kindness.
29 The glory of the young is their strength, the dignity of the old, grey hairs.
30 Wounding strokes are good medicine for evil, blows bring healing to the deepest self.