Proverbs of Solomon 20 — The Holy Bible

Double Standards or Single-Mindedness

Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink is full of violence;

And all who commingle with it will not be wise.

The threat of a king does not differ from the anger of a lion,

And he who provokes him sins against his own soul.

It is glory for a man to turn away from reproaches,

But every man without discernment is entangled with such things.

A lazy man who is reproached feels no shame;

Likewise also is he who borrows bread in harvest.

Counsel is deep water in the heart of a man,

And a man with discernment will draw it out.

Man is important, and a man who shows mercy is noble,

But it is difficult to find a faithful man.

He who lives blamelessly in righteousness,

He will leave blessed children behind him.

When a righteous king sits upon the throne,

No evil thing can oppose his presence.

Who will boast about having a pure heart?

Or who will declare boldly being clean from sins?

The lamp of him who reviles his father or mother shall be put out,

And the pupils of his eyes shall see darkness.

A portion gained hastily in the beginning

Will not be blessed at the end.

Do not say, “I will avenge myself on the enemy,”

But wait on the Lord, that you may be helped.

A weight, great and small, and a double standard,

Both are also unclean before the Lord.

And the one who uses these things in his pursuits will be entangled;

But a young man with holiness, his road is straight.

The ear hears and the eye sees;

Both are also works of the Lord.

Do not love to speak ill,

That you may not be taken away;

Open your eyes,

And you will be filled with bread.

A double standard is an abomination to the Lord,

And a deceitful scale is not good before Him.

Steps are made straight for a man by the Lord,

But how can a mortal man understand His ways?

It is a snare for a man to quickly sanctify something of his own things as holy,

Then after making this vow, to come to a change of heart.

A wise king is a winnower of the ungodly,

And he casts them upon the wheel of torture.

The breath of man is the light of the Lord,

Who searches the inner man.

Mercy and truth are a guard for the king,

And they will encircle his throne with righteousness.

Wisdom is an ornament to young men,

And the glory of old men is their gray hair.

Bruises and fractures happen to evil men,

And plagues shall come into their inner man.