Proverbs 20 Comparison: Wycliffe Bible (1395) vs King James Version
Proverbs 20
1Wiyn is a letcherouse thing and drunkenesse is ful of noise; who euere delitith in these, schal not be wijs.
2As the roryng of a lioun, so and the drede of the kyng; he that territh hym to ire, synneth ayens his owne lijf.
3It is onour to a man that departith hym silf fro stryuyngis; but fonned men ben medlid with dispisyngis.
4A slow man nolde ere for coold; therfor he schal begge in somer, and me schal not yyue to hym.
5As deep watir, so counsel is in the herte of a man; but a wijs man schal drawe it out.
6Many men ben clepid merciful; but who schal fynde a feithful man?
7Forsothe a iust man that goith in his simplenesse, schal leeue blessid sones aftir hym.
8A king that sittith in the seete of doom, distrieth al yuel bi his lokyng.
9Who may seie, Myn herte is clene; Y am clene of synne?
10A weiyte and a weiyte, a mesure and a mesure, euer eithir is abhomynable at God.
11A child is vndurstondun bi hise studies, yf his werkis ben riytful and cleene.
12An eere heringe, and an iye seynge, God made euere eithir.
13Nyle thou loue sleep, lest nedynesse oppresse thee; opene thin iyen, and be thou fillid with looues.
14Ech biere seith, It is yuel, it is yuel; and whanne he hath go awey, thanne he schal haue glorie.
15Gold, and the multitude of iemmes, and a preciouse vessel, ben the lippis of kunnyng.
16Take thou awei the cloth of hym, that was borewe of an othere man; and for straungeris take thou awei a wed fro hym.
17The breed of a leesing is sweet to a man; and aftirward his mouth schal be fillid with rikenyng.
18Thouytis ben maad strong bi counselis; and bateils schulen be tretid bi gouernals.
19Be thou not medlid with him that schewith pryuetees, and goith gylefulli, and alargith hise lippis.
20The liyt of hym that cursith his fadir and modir, schal be quenchid in the myddis of derknessis.
21Eritage to which me haastith in the bigynnyng, schal wante blessing in the laste tyme.
22Seie thou not, Y schal yelde yuel for yuel; abide thou the Lord, and he schal delyuere thee.
23Abhomynacioun at God is weiyte and weiyte; a gileful balaunce is not good.
24The steppis of man ben dressid of the Lord; who forsothe of men mai vndurstonde his weie?
25Falling of man is to make auow to seyntis, and aftirward to withdrawe the vowis.
26A wijs kyng scaterith wickid men; and bowith a bouwe of victorie ouer hem.
27The lanterne of the Lord is the spirit of man, that sekith out alle the priuetees of the wombe.
28Merci and treuthe kepen a kyng; and his trone is maad strong bi mekenesse.
29The ful out ioiyng of yonge men is the strengthe of hem; and the dignyte of elde men is hoornesse.
30The wannesse of wounde schal wipe aweie yuels, and woundis in the priuyere thingis of the wombe.
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 Wycliffe Bible (1395) vs King James Version in Proverbs 20
Wycliffe Bible (1395) (Wycliffe)
The first complete English translation of the Bible (1395) by John Wycliffe and his followers. Translated from the Latin Vulgate. A landmark in English history and the Reformation.
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 Wycliffe Bible (1395) 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 thou awei the cloth of hym, that was borewe of an othere man; and for straungeris take thou awei a wed fro hym."
"Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman."
