13 (A)Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
    will himself call out and not be answered.
14 (B)A gift in secret averts anger,
    and a concealed bribe,[a] strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
    (C)but terror to evildoers.
16 One who wanders from the way of good sense
    (D)will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
    he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 (E)The wicked is a (F)ransom for the righteous,
    and the traitor for the upright.
19 It is (G)better to live in a desert land
    than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
20 (H)Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,
    but a foolish man (I)devours it.
21 Whoever (J)pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find (K)life, righteousness, and honor.
22 (L)A wise man scales the city of the mighty
    and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:14 Hebrew a bribe in the bosom

13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also cry out(A) and not be answered.(B)

14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
    and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(C)

15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
    but terror to evildoers.(D)

16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
    comes to rest in the company of the dead.(E)

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

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

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

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](I) and honor.(J)

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness