Proverbs 21:6-20

English Standard Version

^6 (A)The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a ^(B)fleeting ^(C)vapor and a ^(D)snare of death.^[a]
7 The violence of the wicked will ^(E)sweep them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.
⁸ The way of the guilty ^(F)is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is upright.
⁹ 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.