Proverbs 21:16-31 New American Standard Bible

¹⁶A person who wanders from the way of understanding
Will ^(A)rest in the assembly of the ^[a]dead.
¹⁷One who ^(B)loves pleasure will become a poor person;
One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
¹⁸The wicked is a ^(C)ransom for the righteous,
And the ^(D)treacherous is in the place of the upright.
¹⁹^(E)It is better to live in a desert land
Than with a contentious and irritating woman.
²⁰There is precious ^(F)treasure and oil in the home of the wise,
But a foolish person ^(G)swallows it up.
²¹One who ^(H)pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
²²A ^(I)wise person scales the city of the mighty
And brings down the ^[b]stronghold in which they trust.
²³One who ^(J)guards his mouth and his tongue,
Guards his soul from troubles.
²⁴“Proud,” “Arrogant,” “^(K)Scoffer,” are his names,
One who acts with ^(L)insolent pride.
²⁵The ^(M)desire of the ^[c]lazy one puts him to death,
For his hands refuse to work;
²⁶All day long he ^[d]is craving,
While the righteous ^(N)gives and does not hold back.
²⁷The ^(O)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
How much more when he brings it with evil intent!
²⁸A ^(P)false witness will perish,
But a person who listens will speak forever.
²⁹A wicked person ^[e]^(Q)displays a bold face,
But as for the ^(R)upright, he makes his way sure.
³⁰There is ^(S)no wisdom, no understanding,
And no ^[f]plan against the Lord.
³¹The ^(T)horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But the ^(U)victory belongs to the Lord.