Proverbs 21:3-27

3To do 1righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The 2lamp of the wicked, is sin.5The plans of the 3diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone 4who is hasty comes surely to poverty.6The 5acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the 6pursuit of 7death.7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they 8refuse to act with justice.8The way of a guilty man is 9crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.9It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than 10in a house shared with a contentious woman.10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His 11neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.11When the 12scoffer is punished, the 13naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the 14wicked to ruin.13He who 15shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be 16answered.14A 17gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is 18terror to the workers of iniquity.16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will 19rest in the assembly of the 20dead.17He who 21loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.18The wicked is a 22ransom for the righteous, And the 23treacherous is in the place of the upright.1924It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.20There is precious 25treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man 26swallows it up.21He who 27pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.22A 28wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the 29stronghold in which they trust.23He who 30guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.24“Proud,” “Haughty,” “31Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with 32insolent pride.25The 33desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;26All day long he 34is craving, While the righteous 35gives and does not hold back.27The 36sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!