Proverbs 20
Bible in Basic English
1Wine makes men foolish, and strong drink makes men come to blows; and whoever comes into error through these is not wise.
2The wrath of a king is like the loud cry of a lion: he who makes him angry does wrong against himself.
3It is an honour for a man to keep from fighting, but the foolish are ever at war.
4The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.
5The purpose in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of good sense will get it out.
6Most men make no secret of their kind acts: but where is a man of good faith to be seen?
7An upright man goes on in his righteousness: happy are his children after him!
8A king on the seat of judging puts to flight all evil with his eyes.
9Who is able to say, I have made my heart clean, I am free from my sin?
10Unequal weights and unequal measures, they are all disgusting to the Lord.
11Even a child may be judged by his doings, if his work is free from sin and if it is right.
12The hearing ear and the seeing eye are equally the Lord's work.
13Do not be a lover of sleep, or you will become poor: keep your eyes open, and you will have bread enough.
14A poor thing, a poor thing, says he who is giving money for goods: but when he has gone on his way, then he makes clear his pride in what he has got.