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

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

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

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

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](E) and honor.(F)

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

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

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

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

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(N)
    how much more so when brought with evil intent!(O)

28 A false witness(P) will perish,(Q)
    but a careful listener will testify successfully.

29 The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways.(R)

30 There is no wisdom,(S) no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.(T)

31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but victory rests with the Lord.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.

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