Proverbs 20

Proverbs · Chapter 20

Proverbs 20:15

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
15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

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
thereיֵ֣שׁyeshH3426
there is

אִיתַי (i.tay) 1) there is, there are 2) particle denoting existence

[is] goldזָ֭הָבza-hoH2091
gold

דְּהַב (de.hav) gold Aramaic of za.hav (זָהָב "gold" H2091)

and abundance ofוְרָב־ve-rov-H7230
abundance

רֹב (rov) 1) multitude, abundance, greatness 1a) multitude 1a1) abundance, abundantly 1a2) numerous 1b) greatness

jewelsפְּנִינִ֑יםpe-ni-NIMH6443
jewel

פְּנִינִים (pa.nin) 1) a precious stone 1a) perhaps corals, rubies, jewels

and [are] an article ofוּכְלִ֥יu-khe-LIH3627
article/utensil

כְּלִי (ke.li) 1) article, vessel, implement, utensil 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel 1b1) implement (of hunting or war) 1b2) implement (of music) 1b3) implement, tool (of labour) 1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen) 1b5) utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general) 1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed

preciousnessיְ֝קָ֗רye-KARH3366
preciousness

יְקָר (ye.qar) 1) price, value, preciousness, honour, splendour, pomp 1a) preciousness 1b) price 1c) honour, esteem Aramaic equivalent: ye.qar (יְקָר "honor" H3367)

lips ofשִׂפְתֵי־sif-tei-H8193G
lips

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

knowledgeדָֽעַת׃DA-'atH1847
knowledge

דַּ֫עַת (da.at) 1) knowledge 1a) knowledge, perception, skill 1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom

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