Proverbs 21:12-22:16

Christian Standard Bible

¹² The Righteous One^[a] considers the house of the wicked;
he brings the wicked to ruin.

¹³ The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
will himself also call out and not be answered.^(A)

¹⁴ A secret gift soothes anger,
and a covert bribe, fierce rage.^(B)

¹⁵ Justice executed is a joy to the righteous
but a terror to evildoers.^(C)

¹⁶ The person who strays from the way of prudence
will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.^(D)

¹⁷ The one who loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.^(E)

¹⁸ The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,
and the treacherous, for^[b] the upright.^(F)

¹⁹ Better to live in a wilderness
than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.^(G)

²⁰ Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,
but a fool consumes them.^[c](H)

²¹ The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.^(I)

²² A wise person went up against a city of warriors
and brought down its secure fortress.^(J)

²³ The one who guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.^(K)

²⁴ The arrogant and proud person, named “Mocker,”
acts with excessive arrogance.^(L)

²⁵ A slacker’s craving will kill him
because his hands refuse to work.^(M)
26 He is filled with craving^[d] all day long,
but the righteous give and don’t hold back.^(N)

²⁷ The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable—
how much more so
when he brings it with ulterior motives!^(O)

²⁸ A lying witness will perish,^(P)
but the one who listens will speak successfully.

²⁹ A wicked person puts on a bold face,^(Q)
but the upright one considers his way.

³⁰ No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel
will prevail against the Lord.^(R)

³¹ A horse is prepared for the day of battle,^(S)
but victory comes from the Lord.^(T)

22 A good name is to be chosen over great wealth;
favor is better than silver and gold.^(U)

² Rich and poor have this in common:^[e]
the Lord makes them all.^(V)

³ A sensible person sees danger and takes cover,
but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.^(W)

⁴ Humility, the fear of the Lord,
results in wealth, honor, and life.^(X)

⁵ There are thorns and snares on the way of the crooked;^(Y)
the one who guards himself stays far from them.

⁶ Start a youth out on his way;^(Z)
even when he grows old he will not depart from it.

⁷ The rich rule over the poor,^(AA)
and the borrower is a slave to the lender.^(AB)

⁸ The one who sows injustice will reap disaster,^(AC)
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

⁹ A generous person^[f] will be blessed,^(AD)
for he shares his food with the poor.^(AE)

¹⁰ Drive out a mocker,^(AF) and conflict goes too;
then quarreling and dishonor will cease.^(AG)

¹¹ The one who loves a pure heart
and gracious lips—the king is his friend.^(AH)

¹² The Lord’s eyes keep watch over knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the treacherous.

¹³ The slacker says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!” ^(AI)

¹⁴ The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit;
a man cursed by the Lord will fall into it.^(AJ)

¹⁵ Foolishness is bound to the heart of a youth;
a rod of discipline will separate it from him.^(AK)

¹⁶ Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself,
and giving to the rich—both lead only to poverty.^(AL)