Proverbs 20

Highlighted words differ from the WEB. Most differences are matters of wording, style or the age of the English, not of meaning; a few reflect different manuscripts.

WEB KJV

1
WEBWine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
KJVWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
2
WEBThe terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
KJVThe fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3
WEBIt is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
KJVIt is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
4
WEBThe sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
KJVThe sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5
WEBCounsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
KJVCounsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6
WEBMany men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
KJVMost men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
7
WEBA righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
KJVThe just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
8
WEBA king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
KJVA king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9
WEBWho can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
KJVWho can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10
WEBDiffering weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
KJVDivers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
11
WEBEven a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
KJVEven a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12
WEBThe hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.
KJVThe hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
13
WEBDon’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
KJVLove not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14
WEB“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
KJVIt is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15
WEBThere is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
KJVThere is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16
WEBTake the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
KJVTake his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17
WEBFraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
KJVBread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18
WEBPlans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
KJVEvery purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19
WEBHe who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
KJVHe that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20
WEBWhoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
KJVWhoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21
WEBAn inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
KJVAn inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22
WEBDon’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
KJVSay not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
23
WEBYahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
KJVDivers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24
WEBA man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way?
KJVMan’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25
WEBIt is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
KJVIt is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26
WEBA wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
KJVA wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27
WEBThe spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
KJVThe spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28
WEBLove and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
KJVMercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29
WEBThe glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
KJVThe glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
30
WEBWounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
KJVThe blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

World English Bible (WEB), public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.
King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom, where Crown letters patent apply.