Proverbs 21:8-24

⁸The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.

⁹It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

¹⁰The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

¹¹When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.

¹²The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.

¹³The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.

¹⁴A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.

¹⁵When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.

¹⁶The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.

¹⁷Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

¹⁸A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.

¹⁹It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.

²⁰Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.

²¹The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.

²²A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.

²³Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

²⁴The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.