Proverbs 20 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
Proverbs 20
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And he that reeleth with it is not wise.
2The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion; He who provoketh him sinneth against himself.
3It is an honor to a man to cease from strife; Bur every fool rusheth into it.
4The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold; Therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5A design in the heart of a man is like deep waters; But a man of understanding draweth it out.
6Many will proclaim their own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?
7He who walketh in his integrity is a righteous man; Happy will be his children after him!
8The king, sitting upon the throne of judgment, Scattereth with his eyes all the wicked like chaff.
9Who can say, "I have kept my heart clean; I am free from my sin?"
10Divers weights and divers measures,—Both of them are an abomination to the LORD.
11Even in childhood one maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his actions will be pure and right.
12The ear that heareth, and the eye that seeth,—The LORD made them both.
13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14"Bad! bad!" saith the buyer; But when he hath gone his way, then he boasteth.
15There is gold and abundance of pearls; But the lips of knowledge are a precious vase.
16Take his garment who is surety for another; Yea, take a pledge of him who is bound for a stranger.
17The bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18Purposes are established by counsel; Therefore with good advice make war.
19He who goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore associate not with him who keepeth open his lips.
20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in midnight darkness.
21A possession may be gotten hastily in the beginning, But in the end it will not be blessed.
22Say not thou, "I will repay evil;" Wait on the LORD, and he will help thee.
23Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false balance is not good.
24A man’s steps are from the LORD; How, then, can a man understand his way?
25It is a snare to a man to utter a vow rashly, And after vows to consider.
26A wise king scattereth the wicked like chaff, And bringeth over them the wheel.
27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Which searcheth all the inner chambers of his body.
28Mercy and truth preserve the king; Yea, his throne is upholden by mercy.
29The glory of young men is their strength, And the beauty of old men is the gray head.
30Wounding stripes are the remedy for a bad man; Yea, stripes which reach to the inner chambers of the body.
Proverbs 20
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.
11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.
13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
23Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.
24Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
30The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Understanding Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in Proverbs 20
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Proverbs 20 in the Noyes Translation (1869) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Proverbs 20:16
"Take his garment who is surety for another; Yea, take a pledge of him who is bound for a stranger."
"Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman."





