Proverbs 21:17-26

New King James Version

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.