Bible in Basic English
Every purpose is put into effect by wise help: and by wise guiding make war.
He who goes about talking of the business of others gives away secrets: so have nothing to do with him whose lips are open wide.
If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.
A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing.
Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting for the Lord, and he will be your saviour.
Unequal weights are disgusting to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
A man's steps are of the Lord; how then may a man have knowledge of his way?
It is a danger to a man to say without thought, It is holy, and, after taking his oaths, to be questioning if it is necessary to keep them.
A wise king puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them.
The Lord keeps watch over the spirit of man, searching all the deepest parts of the body.
Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the seat of his power is based on upright acts.
The glory of young men is their strength, and the honour of old men is their grey hairs.
By the wounds of the rod evil is taken away, and blows make clean the deepest parts of the body.
— Proverbs 20:18-1964, Bible in Basic English
“Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee. Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good. Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way? It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. ”
“Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war! He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips. Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness. An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, won't be blessed in the end. Don't say, "I will pay back evil." Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you. Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing. A man's steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way? It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows. A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them. The spirit of man is Yahweh's lamp, searching all his innermost parts. Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love. The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair. Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.”
“Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance. The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth. The one who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness. An inheritance gained easily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. Do not say,“I will pay back evil!” Wait for the LORD, so that he may vindicate you. The LORD abhors differing weights, and dishonest scales are wicked. The steps of a person are ordained by the LORD– so how can anyone understand his own way? It is a snare for a person to rashly cry,“Holy!” and only afterward to consider what he has vowed. A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them. The human spirit is like the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts. Loyal love and truth preserve a king, and his throne is upheld by loyal love. The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair. Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil, and floggings cleanse the innermost being.”
There is gold and a store of corals: but the lips of knowledge are a jewel of great price.
Take a man's clothing if he makes himself responsible for a strange man, and get an undertaking from him who gives his word for strange men.
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but after, his mouth will be full of sand.
Every purpose is put into effect by wise help: and by wise guiding make war.
He who goes about talking of the business of others gives away secrets: so have nothing to do with him whose lips are open wide.
If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.
A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing.
Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting for the Lord, and he will be your saviour.
Unequal weights are disgusting to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
A man's steps are of the Lord; how then may a man have knowledge of his way?
It is a danger to a man to say without thought, It is holy, and, after taking his oaths, to be questioning if it is necessary to keep them.
A wise king puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them.
The Lord keeps watch over the spirit of man, searching all the deepest parts of the body.
Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the seat of his power is based on upright acts.
The glory of young men is their strength, and the honour of old men is their grey hairs.
By the wounds of the rod evil is taken away, and blows make clean the deepest parts of the body.