Proverbs 21:18–21

18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,

and the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to live in a desert

than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.

20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,

but fools gulp theirs down.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love

finds life, prosperity and honor.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,

And the transgressor for the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness,

Than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;

But a foolish man spendeth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy

Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

18 The wicked are punished in place of the godly,

and traitors in place of the honest.

19 It’s better to live alone in the desert

than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

20 The wise have wealth and luxury,

but fools spend whatever they get.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,

And the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,

Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20 There is desirable treasure,

And oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man squanders it.

21 He who follows righteousness and mercy

Finds life, righteousness and honor.

18 Wicked people will suffer instead of good people,

and those who cannot be trusted will suffer instead of those who do right.

19 It is better to live alone in the desert

than with a quarreling and complaining wife.

20 Wise people’s houses are full of the best foods and olive oil,

but fools waste everything they have.

21 Whoever tries to live right and be loyal

finds life, success, and honor.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous;

And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land,

Than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;

But a foolish man swalloweth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and kindness

Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous man in the stead of the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.

20 There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise man; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

18 Wicked people become a ransom for righteous people, 

and treacherous people will take the place of decent people. 

19 Better to live in a desert 

than with a quarreling and angry woman. 

20 Costly treasure and wealth are in the home of a wise person, 

but a fool devours them. 

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy 

will find life, righteousness, and honor. 

18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,

and the treacherous, for the upright.

19 Better to live in a wilderness

than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,

but a foolish man consumes them.

21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous

and the faithless for the upright.

19 It is better to live in a desert land

than with a contentious and fretful wife.

20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise,

but the fool devours it.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life and honor.

18 A ransom for the righteous is the wicked,

and the faithless instead of the upright.

19 Better to live in a land of wilderness

than with a wife of quarrels and provocation.

20 Precious treasure and oil are in the house of the wise,

but the foolish person will devour them.

21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

18 Those who do what is evil pay the price for setting godly people free.

Those who aren’t faithful pay the price for honest people.

19 It is better to live in a desert

than to live with a nagging, angry wife.

20 The best food and olive oil are stored up in the houses of wise people.

But a foolish man eats up everything he has.

21 Anyone who wants to be godly and loving

finds life, success and honor.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,

And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

19 It is better to live in a desert land

Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man swallows it up.

21 He who pursues righteousness and loyalty

Finds life, righteousness and honor.