Proverbs 20:20 nasb — He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

NASB

"He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness."

— Proverbs 20:20, NASB

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Proverbs 20:20 in Other Translations

4 versions All translations

KJV
“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.”
King James Version · Read this chapter in KJV
ASV
“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness. ”
American Standard Version · Read this chapter in ASV
WEB
“Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.”
World English Bible · Read this chapter in WEB
NET
“The one who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness.”
NET Bible · Read this chapter in NET

Proverbs 20 — Context

Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.

He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end.

Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good.

Proverbs 20:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does Proverbs 20:20 say?

Proverbs 20:20 in the NASB reads: “He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness.”

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 (NASB): “He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness.” 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.

Proverbs 20:20 nasb — He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

Read in Another Translation

Proverbs 20:20 in Other Translations

Proverbs 20 — Context

Proverbs 20:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

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