📖 Proverbs — Chapter 20 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Proverbs 20:2 The Rfear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: Rbut every fool will be meddling.
Proverbs 20:4 The Rsluggard will not plow by reason of the Tcold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 20:6 Most men will Rproclaim every one his own Tgoodness: but a faithful man who can find?
Proverbs 20:7 The Rjust man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 20:8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
Proverbs 20:9 RWho can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Proverbs 20:10 RTDivers weights, and Tdivers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
Proverbs 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
Proverbs 20:13 RLove not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Proverbs 20:14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
Proverbs 20:15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: Rbut the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Proverbs 20:16 RTake his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Proverbs 20:17 Bread of RTdeceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Proverbs 20:18 Every Rpurpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
Proverbs 20:19 He Rthat goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that Tflattereth with his lips.
Proverbs 20:20 Whoso Rcurseth his father or his mother, his Tlamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
Proverbs 20:21 An inheritance may be Rgotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Proverbs 20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but Rwait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Proverbs 20:23 Divers Rweights are an abomination unto the LORD; and Ta false balance is not good.
Proverbs 20:24 Man’s goings are of the LORD; Rhow can a man then understand his own way?
Proverbs 20:25 It is Ra snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
Proverbs 20:26 A Rwise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
Proverbs 20:27 The Rspirit of man is the Tcandle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Proverbs 20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and Rhis throne is upholden by mercy.
Proverbs 20:29 The Rglory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
Proverbs 20:30 The blueness of a wound Tcleanseth away evil: so do Rstripes the inward parts of the belly.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 20:1–10 — Sobriety and honest measurement
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Drunken deception, needless conflict, hidden counsel, and dishonest measures are confronted. Wisdom requires self-control and fair dealing.
Key Truth: Practice self-control and honest dealings.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is …” (Proverbs 20:1)
Find it in Proverbs 20:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a ____ man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6)
Find it in Proverbs 20:6 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination …” (Proverbs 20:10)
Find it in Proverbs 20:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 20:11–20 — Conduct, knowledge, and family honor
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Actions reveal character even in a child. Knowledgeable lips are precious, and deceitful gain and contempt toward parents undermine trustworthy life.
Key Truth: Let conduct match truthful words.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Even a ____ is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, …” (Proverbs 20:11)
Find it in Proverbs 20:11 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take …” (Proverbs 20:16)
Find it in Proverbs 20:16 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Whoso curseth his ____ or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in …” (Proverbs 20:20)
Find it in Proverbs 20:20 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 20:21–30 — Patient judgment and serious correction
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Hasty inheritance and rash vows expose impulsiveness. Judgment, motives, and correction require careful attention rather than assuming hidden matters are obvious.
Key Truth: Slow down before making commitments.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “An ____ may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end …” (Proverbs 20:21)
Find it in Proverbs 20:21 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “A wise king scattereth the ____ , and bringeth the wheel over them.” (Proverbs 20:26)
Find it in Proverbs 20:26 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Say not thou, I will recompense ____ ; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save …” (Proverbs 20:22)
Find it in Proverbs 20:22 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 11:1 — Honest weights are pleasing to God.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which commitment needs thought before you make it?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why is ceasing from strife called honourable?
2. How does understanding relate to counsel like deep water?
3. What do diverse weights and measures expose?
4. How does the bread-of-deceit image reverse its first attraction?
5. What replaces the intention to repay evil personally?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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