What does “wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging” mean?

This line warns that alcohol can trick people. Wine and strong drink may seem pleasant, but they can lead a person to act foolishly and even to mock what is holy. When someone is ruled by drink, their judgment is clouded and their behavior can bring shame and harm. The verse does not praise skill in drinking, it simply says that whoever is led astray by it is not wise. It is a call to be careful and not give control of your mind and actions to alcohol.

Why is it called an honour to cease from strife?

The saying about ceasing from strife teaches that real honour is found in walking away from needless quarrels, not in always winning arguments. A wise person knows when to stop, make peace, or let an insult pass. The fool, by contrast, is always stirring things up and meddling in disputes. This verse pushes against proud thinking that views constant conflict as strength. It shows that self-control, patience, and a peaceful spirit are marks of wisdom and are more respected in the long run.

What does this passage say about laziness and work?

The lazy person in this passage will not plow because it is cold, so later he has nothing and must beg at harvest. Another verse says, “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty.” Together they paint a clear picture: if someone avoids hard work and chooses comfort instead of duty, lack will follow. This applies to both material and spiritual life. There are proper seasons for labor. If we sleep through them, we miss the harvest God might have given through steady, humble work.

What does it mean that no one can say, “I have made my heart clean”?

When the passage asks, “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” the implied answer is: no one. It reminds us that every person has sin and cannot cleanse their own heart by effort or good works. We may improve our outward habits, but we cannot erase guilt or make ourselves truly pure inside. This pushes us away from pride and self-trust and toward seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness. It is an honest look at human nature and our need for grace.

Why are diverse weights and measures called an abomination to the Lord?

Diverse weights and measures refer to cheating in business, like using one scale when buying and another when selling. God calls this an abomination because it is hidden theft wrapped in the appearance of fairness. The passage repeats that false balances are not good, showing how serious this is. God cares about ordinary trade, not just “religious” acts. Honest dealing with money and goods is part of fearing God. He sees what people think is secret and will not bless crooked gain.

What does it mean that even a child is known by his doings?

When it says, “Even a child is known by his doings,” it teaches that actions reveal character from a young age. A child’s choices and habits show whether their work is pure and right or not. This is not to crush children with despair, but to remind parents and teachers to pay attention and guide them early. It also warns against excusing constant wrong behavior as if it says nothing about the heart. God sees both children and adults, and our ways show what we truly love.

What does “the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord” mean?

This picture of the human spirit as the candle or lamp of the Lord means that God uses what he has placed in us to search our inner life. Our inmost thoughts and motives are open before him, like a room lit by a lamp. God knows us better than we know ourselves. This saying fits with others in the passage that show God looking at the heart, weighing actions, and directing a person’s steps. It calls us to live honestly before God, knowing nothing inside us is hidden from his sight.

How should believers respond to the call not to repay evil but wait on the Lord?

When the passage says, “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee,” it tells us to leave revenge in God’s hands. Our first urge may be to strike back when we are wronged. Instead, we are told to trust God to deal with the wrong in his way and time. Waiting on the Lord does not mean approving evil, but refusing to take his place as judge. This helps guard our hearts from bitterness and keeps us walking in mercy and patience.

Why does the passage say wounds and stripes can cleanse away evil?

The wording about the blueness of a wound and stripes cleansing away evil speaks of sharp correction and discipline. Painful consequences can reach the “inward parts,” touching the heart in a way gentle words sometimes do not. This is not praise of cruelty, but an honest note that firm discipline can turn people from sin and folly. Again and again the sayings show that God uses both instruction and correction. When hardship exposes our sin and brings us to change, it has done a hard but good work.

Prov.20.1

Proverbs 20:1

Q: How does this passage describe a just and wise king?

The sayings about kings show what good leadership looks like. A king who sits on the throne of judgment “scattereth away all evil with his eyes,” meaning he pays attention and does not let sin go unchallenged. A wise king “scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them,” picturing firm punishment of evil. Yet it also says mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by mercy. So just rule combines clear judgment against wrong with steady kindness and faithfulness.

KJV

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Wine Is a Mocker

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.

11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.

13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.

24 Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?

25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.