Proverbs 20:20 bbe — If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.

Bible in Basic English

"If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night."

— Proverbs 20:20, Bible in Basic English

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Proverbs 20:20 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Proverbs 20 — Context

17

Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but after, his mouth will be full of sand.

18

Every purpose is put into effect by wise help: and by wise guiding make war.

19

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.

20

If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.

21

A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing.

22

Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting for the Lord, and he will be your saviour.

23

Unequal weights are disgusting to the Lord, and false scales are not good.

Proverbs 20:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 20:20 say?
Proverbs 20:20 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.”
Where is Proverbs 20:20 in the Bible?
Proverbs 20:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 20, verse 20.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 20:20.
What translation should I read Proverbs 20:20 in?
Proverbs 20:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 20:20?
Proverbs 20:20 reads (BBE): “If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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