---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Proverbs from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 20
verse_count: 30
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Proverbs, chap. 20, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Proverbs 20

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