17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to dwell [a]in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20 (A)There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.

21 (B)He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A (C)wise man [b]scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.

23 (D)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.

24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.

25 The (E)desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous (F)gives and does not spare.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:19 Lit. in the land of the desert
  2. Proverbs 21:22 Climbs over the walls of

17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(A)

18 The wicked become a ransom(B) for the righteous,
    and the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to live in a desert
    than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(C)

20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
    but fools gulp theirs down.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
    finds life, prosperity[a](D) and honor.(E)

22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(F)
    and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 Those who guard their mouths(G) and their tongues
    keep themselves from calamity.(H)

24 The proud and arrogant person(I)—“Mocker” is his name—
    behaves with insolent fury.

25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(J)
    because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
    but the righteous(K) give without sparing.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness