Proverbs 21:11-26

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹¹ When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser;
    when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.
¹² The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
    he casts the wicked down to ruin.
¹³ If you close your ear to the cry of the poor,
    you will cry out and not be heard.
¹⁴ A gift in secret averts anger;
    and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
¹⁵ When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous,
    but dismay to evildoers.
¹⁶ Whoever wanders from the way of understanding
    will rest in the assembly of the dead.
¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want;
    whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.
¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
    and the faithless for the upright.
¹⁹ It is better to live in a desert land
    than with a contentious and fretful wife.
²⁰ Precious treasure remains^[a] in the house of the wise,
    but the fool devours it.
²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life^[b] and honor.
²² One wise person went up against a city of warriors
    and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.
²³ To watch over mouth and tongue
    is to keep out of trouble.
²⁴ The proud, haughty person, named “Scoffer,”
    acts with arrogant pride.
²⁵ The craving of the lazy person is fatal,
    for lazy hands refuse to labor.
²⁶ All day long the wicked covet,^[c]
    but the righteous give and do not hold back.