Proverbs

²¹He who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor. [Prov. 15:9; Matt. 5:6.] ²²A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. ²³He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles. [Prov. 12:13; 13:3; 18:21; James 3:2.] ²⁴The proud and haughty man–Scoffer is his name–deals and acts with overbearing pride. ²⁵The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. ²⁶He covets greedily all the day long, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous gives and does not withhold. [II Cor. 9:6-10.] ²⁷The sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting and abhorrent [to the Lord]–how much more when he brings it with evil intention?