(A)The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a (B)fleeting (C)vapor and a (D)snare of death.[a]
The violence of the wicked will (E)sweep them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.
The way of the guilty (F)is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is upright.
It is (G)better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
    his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When (H)a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
    when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The Righteous One (I)observes the house of the wicked;
    he throws the wicked down to ruin.
13 (J)Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
    will himself call out and not be answered.
14 (K)A gift in secret averts anger,
    and a concealed bribe,[b] strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
    (L)but terror to evildoers.
16 One who wanders from the way of good sense
    (M)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 (N)The wicked is a (O)ransom for the righteous,
    and the traitor for the upright.
19 It is (P)better to live in a desert land
    than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
20 (Q)Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,
    but a foolish man (R)devours it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
  2. Proverbs 21:14 Hebrew a bribe in the bosom

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