Proverbs 21:19–23

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.

22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty

and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues

keep themselves from calamity.

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.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,

And casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue

Keepeth his soul from troubles.

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.

22 The wise conquer the city of the strong

and level the fortress in which they trust.

23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,

and you will stay out of trouble.

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.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty,

And brings down the trusted stronghold.

23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue

Keeps his soul from troubles.

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.

22 A wise person can defeat a city full of warriors

and tear down the defenses they trust in.

23 Those who are careful about what they say

keep themselves out of trouble.

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.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,

And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue

Keepeth his soul from troubles.

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.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

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. 

22 A wise man attacks a city of warriors 

and pulls down the strong defenses in which they trust. 

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

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.

22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors

and brought down its secure fortress.

23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue

keeps himself out of trouble.

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.

22 One wise person went up against a city of warriors

and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.

23 To watch over mouth and tongue

is to keep out of trouble.

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.

22 To a city of warriors, the wise ascends,

and he will bring down the stronghold—its object of trust.

23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue,

he guards his life from danger.

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.

22 Those who are wise can attack a strong city.

They can pull down the place of safety its people trust in.

23 Anyone who is careful about what he says

keeps himself out of trouble.

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.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty

And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue,

Guards his soul from troubles.