17  Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;

he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18  uThe wicked is a vransom for the righteous,

and the traitor for the upright.

19  It is wbetter to live in a desert land

than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

20  xPrecious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,

but a foolish man ydevours it.

21  Whoever zpursues righteousness and kindness

will find alife, righteousness, and honor.

22  bA wise man scales the city of the mighty

and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23  cWhoever keeps his mouth and his tongue

dkeeps himself out of etrouble.

24  f“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man

who acts with arrogant pride.

25  The desire of gthe sluggard kills him,

for his hands refuse to labor.

26  All day long he craves and craves,

but the righteous hgives and does not hold back.