20:1: Who can find one verse in the whole Bible where alcoholic beverages
        are spoken of in a good way?   See 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22.
20:2: It makes sense to respect, rather than enrage, proper authorities.
20:3: A man whose “bio” is full of people problems may be because HE is the
         fool.
20:4: If you don’t take the first step of work, you don’t deserve the first fruits
        of harvest.
20:5: The principle of understanding is like the bucket that goes with the well.
20:6: Goodness proclaimed by self is not the same as faithfulness seen by
         others.
20:7: Aha!  There is a connection between fatherhood and blessed children! 
         But there are more examples  of “fatherhood” and sadness.
20:8: How able are your eyes to recognize and to stifle evil?  This is a
         LEADERSHIP principle.
20:9: Anyone can say it—but who can do it??
20:10: A variety of standards for a variety of circumstances is EVIL—the
          Lord views this with the same  disgust as He views idolatry.
20:11: It is right to apply God’s standards to the young.
20:12:  Thus, you are able to increase in knowledge and understanding.
20:13: Otherwise good things can be perverted and lead to sin.
20:14: Buying and selling are subject to God’s standards: Be honest in all
           things.
20:15: That which is valuable to you depends on your own set of values.
20:16: If you are lending, make sure that the security for the transaction is
           known (especially if you are not  acquainted with the borrower).
20:17: If you “prosper” through deceit, be assured that there will be a bitter
          aftertaste!
20:18: Uphold the cause if the plan is sound.
20:19: Your time is too valuable to spend it with those who manipulate words.
20:20: God is also disgusted with children who speak sinfully toward parents.
20:21: “Hurrying suddenly” after such things will result in a proper payback.
20:22: Romans 12:19-21.
20:23: Remember verse 10?  This approach is still wrong.
20:24: Those who will follow Him still cannot explain all of His workings—just
           follow His orders anyway!
20:25: The considering (cost-counting; Luke 14:28-35) should be first.
20:26: It is right for the wicked to be punished.
20:27: Our spirits are made in such a way that we can search ourselves and
           know (through the Bible) where  we stand (2 Corinthians 13:5).
20:28: Character counts—note how this principle was applied to the kings of
           Judah and Israel.
20:29: Every season of life provides us with the characteristics we need to
           make it worthwhile.
20:30: Proper—even severe—discipline has great value for the health of the
           soul.

1.   What is wine and strong drink (v. 1; see 23:31)?
2.   Who is a meddler (v. 3)?
3.   What excuse will a lazy man give for not plowing (v. 4)?
4.   What is like deep water (v. 5)?
5.   What do most men proclaim (v. 6)?
6.   “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin” (v. 9)?
7.   What does God say about different or unequal weights, measures,  
      balances (vv. 10,23)?
8.   By what are we known (v. 11)?
9.   What has the Lord made (v. 12)?
10. Why should we not love sleep (v. 13)?
11. What does verse 14 mean?
12. What will one lose if he is surety (guaranty) for a stranger (v. 16)?
13. What finally happens to the sweet bread of deceit (v. 17)?
14. How important is good counsel and advice (v. 18)?
15. What should be our attitude toward flatterers (v. 19)?
16. Should we personally recompense evil (v. 11; Romans 12:17-21)?
17. Can a man understand his own way (v. 24; Jeremiah 10:23)?
18. What is the candle of the Lord (v. 27)?
19. What is the beauty of old men (v. 29)?
20. What does the blueness of a wound indicate (v. 30)?
 

Back to Proverbs