Today's verses contain more random words of wisdom. We begin with the premise that it's difficult to live with someone who is always ready to pick a fight. While it's written from the husband's perspective, the meaning can easy be flipped around to include any other person in the household. As has been the case before, as we read these random words relating to wise living, verses are included reminding us why living according to God's "way of wisdom" is important - God sees and God judges.

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife (or husband or child). The souls of the wicked desire evil; their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes. When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge. The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he casts the wicked down to ruin. If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard. A gift in secret averts anger; and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers. Whoever wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want; whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful wife (or husband or child).  (Prov. 21:9-19)

Meditation: Let's look more closely at v. 18 ("The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless - is a ransom - for the upright."). What do you think Solomon is saying? I like the simplicity of Eugene Peterson's interpretation from The Message: "What a bad person plots against the good, boomerangs; the plotter gets it in the end." But I think there's more to it than that. Perhaps Solomon is saying that the righteous and upright often find themselves in difficult circumstances just like everyone else - but in the end God will deliver them; the wicked and faithless, however, will be judged by God and will be accountable. What do you think?