Proverbs 21:3-26

New International Version

³ To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.^(A)

⁴ Haughty eyes^(B) and a proud heart—
    the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

⁵ The plans of the diligent lead to profit^(C)
    as surely as haste leads to poverty.

⁶ A fortune made by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.^[a](D)

⁷ The violence of the wicked will drag them away,^(E)
    for they refuse to do what is right.

⁸ The way of the guilty is devious,^(F)
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

⁹ Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.^(G)

¹⁰ The wicked crave evil;
    their neighbors get no mercy from them.

¹¹ When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
    by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.^(H)

¹² The Righteous One^[b] takes note of the house of the wicked
    and brings the wicked to ruin.^(I)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁰ The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
    but fools gulp theirs down.

²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and love
    finds life, prosperity^[c](R) and honor.^(S)

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

²³ Those who guard their mouths^(U) and their tongues
    keep themselves from calamity.^(V)

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

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