Proverbs 20
BSB
Wine Is a Mocker
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion;
whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,
but any fool will quarrel.
4The slacker does not plow in season;
at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out.
6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion,
but who can find a trustworthy man?
7The righteous man walks with integrity;
blessed are his children after him.
8A king who sits on a throne to judge
sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”?
10Differing weights and unequal measures —
both are detestable to the LORD.
11Even a young man is known by his actions—
whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the LORD has made them both.
13Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor;
open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer,
but on the way out, he gloats.
15There is an abundance of gold and rubies,
but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,
but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18Set plans by consultation,
and wage war under sound guidance.
19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;
avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20Whoever curses his father or mother,
his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21An inheritance gained quickly
will not be blessed in the end.
22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!”
Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD,
and dishonest scales are no good.
24A man’s steps are from the LORD,
so how can anyone understand his own way?
25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly,
only later to reconsider his vows.
26A wise king separates out the wicked
and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD,
searching out his inmost being.
28Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king;
by these he maintains his throne.
29The glory of young men is their strength,
and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30Lashes and wounds scour evil,
and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
Introduction
Proverbs 20
Here is, 1. The mischief of drunkenness: Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging. It is so to the sinner himself; it mocks him, makes a fool of him, promises him that satisfaction which it can never give him. It smiles upon him at first, but at the last it bites. In reflection upon it, it rages in his conscience. It is raging in the body, puts the humours into a ferment. When the wine is in the wit is out, and then the man, according as his natural temper is, either mocks like a fool or rages like a madman. Drunkenness, which pretends to be a sociable thing, renders men unfit for society, for it makes them abusive with their tongues and outrageous in their passions, Pro 23:29. 2. The folly of drunkards is easily inferred thence. He that is deceived thereby, that suffers himself to be drawn into this sin when he is so plainly warned of the consequences of it, is not wise; he shows that he has no right sense or consideration of things; and not only so, but he renders himself incapable of getting wisdom; for it is a sin that infatuates and besots men, and takes away their heart. A drunkard is a fool, and a fool he is likely to be.
Cross-references: Prov 23:29