Proverbs 21:3-27

3To do 1righteousness and justice Is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The 2lamp of the wicked, is sin.5The plans of the 3diligent certainly lead to advantage, But everyone 4who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty.6The 5acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the 6pursuit of 7death.7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, Because they 8refuse to act with justice.8The way of a guilty person is 9crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.9It is better to live on a corner of a roof Than 10in a house shared with a contentious woman.10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His 11neighbor is shown no compassion in his eyes.11When the 12scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.12The 13righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Bringing the 14wicked to ruin.13One who 15shuts his ear to the outcry of the poor Will also call out himself, and not be 16answered.14A 17gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe 18in an inside pocket, strong wrath.15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But 19terror to those who practice injustice.16A person who wanders from the way of understanding Will 20rest in the assembly of the 21dead.17One who 22loves pleasure will become a poor person; One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.18The wicked is a 23ransom for the righteous, And the 24treacherous is in the place of the upright.1925It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and irritating woman.20There is precious 26treasure and oil in the home of the wise, But a foolish person 27swallows it up.21One who 28pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor.22A 29wise person scales the city of the mighty And brings down the 30stronghold in which they trust.23One who 31guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.24“Proud,” “Arrogant,” “32Scoffer,” are his names, One who acts with 33insolent pride.25The 34desire of the 35lazy one puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;26All day long he 36is craving, While the righteous 37gives and does not hold back.27The 38sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!