Proverbs 20 KJV: Discernment, Diligence, and Divine Inspection

Proverbs 20 warns against the deceptive nature of intoxicants and the 'divers weights' of dishonest business practices while highlighting the divine scrutiny of the human soul. It teaches that while a man's heart is deep water, a person of understanding can draw it out.

  1. v1-3: Avoiding the Snares of Wine and Strife
  2. v5-7: The Depth of the Heart and the Just Man
  3. v10-12: Honest Measures and the All-Seeing Ear
  4. v27: The Spirit of Man as the Lamp of the Lord

Proverbs chapter 20

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

Learn to look beneath the surface of human motives and apply the 'honest scales' of God to your daily interactions. Begin your study with proverbs 20 summary.

Notice how Solomon describes the 'spirit of man' as a candle or lamp used by God to search the internal parts, suggesting our conscience is a divine tool. The 'Word Secret' is Chaphash, meaning to search or strip bare, used to describe how wisdom reveals things hidden in the shadows of our soul. Discover the riches with proverbs 20 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden proverbs 20 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

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3 min read (498 words)