Proverbs 20

Proverbs · Chapter 20

Proverbs 20:11

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.23Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.24Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.27The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.30The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
alsoגַּ֣םgamH1571
also

גַּם (gam) 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike

by deeds hisבְּ֭מַעֲלָלָיוBE-ma-'a-la-lavH4611
deed

מַעֲלָל (ma.a.lal) 1) deed, practice 1a) practice (usually bad) 1b) deeds 1c) acts

he makes himself knownיִתְנַכֶּר־yit-na-ker-H5234A
to recognize

נָכַר (na.khar) 1) to recognise, acknowledge, know, respect, discern, regard 1a) (Niphal) to be recognised 1b) (Piel) to regard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to regard, observe, pay attention to, pay regard to, notice 1c2) to recognise (as formerly known), perceive 1c3) to be willing to recognise or acknowledge, acknowledge with honour 1c4) to be acquainted with 1c5) to distinguish, understand 1d) (Hithpael) to make oneself known

a youthנָ֑עַרNA-'arH5288
youth

נַ֫עַר (na.ar) 1) a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer 1a) boy, lad, youth 1b) servant, retainer

ifאִם־'im-H0518A
if

אִם (im) : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

[is] pureזַ֖ךְzakhH2134
pure

זַךְ (zakh) 1) clean, pure 1a) pure 1b) pure, clean, righteous (fig.) 2) the pure one (subst)

and ifוְאִם־ve-'im-H0518A
if

אִם (im) : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

[is] uprightיָשָׁ֣רya-SHARH3477G
upright

יָשָׁר (ya.shar) 1) straight, upright, correct, right 1a) straight, level 1b) right, pleasing, correct 1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper 1d) uprightness, righteous, upright 1e) that which is upright (subst) Also means: ya.shar (יָשָׁר "upright" H3477I)

activity hisפָּעֳלֽוֹ׃po-'o-LOH6467
work

פֹּ֫עַל (po.al) 1) work, deed, doing 1a) deed, thing done 1b) work, thing made 1c) wages of work 1d) acquisition (of treasure)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.