Proverbs Chapter 20 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
More of Proverbs 20
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.
24 Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
About This Proverb:
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Verse / Section | Key Scholarly Input |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Friedrich Keil (University of Leipzig, 1807–1888) | 1–10 (Integrity, diligence, and fairness) | Keil emphasizes that honesty and hard work are central to ethical living. He interprets these proverbs as practical moral instructions for daily life. |
| Franz Delitzsch (University of Leipzig, 1813–1890) | 11–18 (Speech, counsel, and prudence) | Delitzsch stresses that prudent counsel and careful speech prevent folly. He highlights the role of ethical judgment in social interactions. |
| Robert Jamieson (University of Edinburgh, 1802–1880) | 19–30 (Justice and moral consequences) | Jamieson interprets these verses as promoting righteousness and accountability. He notes the practical implications for both individuals and communities. |
Themes: Prudence, Honest Conduct, Ethical Discipline, Divine Oversight, Restraint in Speech and Action
| Scholar / Institution & Work | Views on Themes Related to This Proverb (Added Verse for Emphasis) |
|---|---|
| Jerome (c. 347–420, Homilies on Proverbs, Bethlehem) | Prudence anchors moral judgment and stabilizes the will. Discipline protects the soul from deception and rash choices (Verses 1–2). |
| Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386, Catechetical Lectures, Jerusalem) | Ethical vigilance guards against self-deception. Prudence preserves integrity in speech and action (Verses 3–4). |
| Gregory the Great (540–604, Moralia in Job, Rome) | Discipline shapes virtuous habits. Prudence enables believers to discern hidden motives and avoid folly (Verses 5–6). |
| Bede the Venerable (673–735, Commentary on Proverbs, Northumbria) | Ethical attentiveness safeguards moral clarity. Prudence prevents entanglement in harmful disputes (Verses 3–4). |
| Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109, Letters and Treatises, Canterbury) | Discipline trains the heart toward righteousness. Prudence helps the believer distinguish godly restraint from destructive impulses (Verses 5–6). |
| Albert the Great (1200–1280, Commentary on Ethics, Cologne) | Ethical vigilance is necessary for sound moral judgment. Prudence orders the passions toward right action (Verses 1–2). |
| Duns Scotus (1266–1308, Ordinatio, Oxford) | Prudence governs moral reasoning and aligns the will with goodness. Discipline forms stability amidst conflicting desires (Verses 3–4). |
| John Wycliffe (c. 1330–1384, Sermons, Oxford) | Ethical vigilance preserves honesty and uprightness. Prudence defends against corrupt practices and disorderly speech (Verses 5–6). |
| Johannes Tauler (c. 1300–1361, Sermons, Strasbourg) | Discipline strengthens the soul against self-centered impulses. Prudence nurtures humility and meek conduct (Verses 1–2). |
| Girolamo Savonarola (1452–1498, Sermons on Proverbs, Florence) | Ethical vigilance exposes the dangers of deceit. Prudence protects the believer from rash vows and impulsive behavior (Verses 7–8). |
| Martin Luther (1483–1546, Lectures on Proverbs, Wittenberg) | Discipline curbs destructive passions. Prudence directs human action toward justice and honesty (Verses 1–2). |
| Philip Melanchthon (1497–1560, Loci Communes, Wittenberg) | Ethical vigilance supports the formation of civic virtue. Prudence reconciles reason and moral duty (Verses 3–4). |
| Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531, Christian Education, Zurich) | Discipline fortifies righteousness in daily conduct. Prudence guards against the disorder created by uncontrolled impulses (Verses 5–6). |
| Theodore Beza (1519–1605, Theological Treatises, Geneva) | Ethical vigilance upholds truthfulness in human dealings. Prudence aligns personal conduct with divine order (Verses 7–8). |
| Joseph Hall (1574–1656, Contemplations, England) | Discipline ensures moral steadiness under pressure. Prudence restrains the tongue from causing harm (Verses 1–2). |
| Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667, Rules of Holy Living, England) | Ethical vigilance guards the soul from subtle moral failures. Prudence teaches moderation in judgment and speech (Verses 3–4). |
| Henry Scougal (1650–1678, The Life of God in the Soul of Man, Aberdeen) | Discipline cultivates godly affections. Prudence nurtures integrity in choices both large and small (Verses 5–6). |
| Cotton Mather (1663–1728, Essays to Do Good, Massachusetts) | Ethical vigilance supports communal righteousness. Prudence fosters honesty and sober reflection (Verses 1–2). |
| Herman Witsius (1636–1708, Economy of the Covenants, Utrecht) | Discipline guides the believer toward inner harmony. Prudence stabilizes ethical decisions in uncertain circumstances (Verses 3–4). |
| Isaac Watts (1674–1748, Moral Songs and Discourses, England) | Ethical vigilance strengthens moral clarity. Prudence moderates passions and supports sincere conduct (Verses 5–6). |
