Proverbs 27

1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips.

3 Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.

4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.

6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.

7 He who is full loathes honey,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

8 Like a bird that strays from its nest
is a man who strays from his home.

9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father,
and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

14 If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.

15 A quarrelsome wife is like
a constant dripping on a rainy day;

16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.

18 He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and he who looks after his master will be honored.

19 As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man.

20 Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
and neither are the eyes of man.

21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but man is tested by the praise he receives.

22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding him like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove his folly from him.

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
give careful attention to your herds;

24 for riches do not endure forever,
and a crown is not secure for all generations.

25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.

27 You will have plenty of goats' milk
to feed you and your family
and to nourish your servant girls.

PROVERBS 27

Don't Brag //about Tomorrow

1  t Don't brag about tomorrow!
Each day brings
its own surprises.

2 Don't brag about yourself—
let others praise you.

3 Stones and sand are heavy,
but trouble caused by a fool
is a much heavier load.

4 An angry person is dangerous,
but a jealous person
is even worse.

5 A truly good friend
will openly correct you.

6 You can trust a friend
who corrects you,
but kisses from an enemy
are nothing but lies.

7 If you have had enough to eat,
honey doesn't taste good,
but if you are really hungry,
you will eat anything.

8 When you are far from home,
you feel like a bird
without a nest.

9 The sweet smell of incense
can make you feel good,
but true friendship
is better still.t

10 Don't desert an old friend
of your family
or visit your relatives
when you are in trouble.
A friend nearby is better
than relatives far away.

11 My child, show good sense!
Then I will be happy
and able to answer anyone
who criticizes me.

12 Be cautious and hide
when you see danger—
don't be stupid and walk
right into trouble.

13 You deserve to lose your coat
if you loan it to someone
to guarantee payment
for the debt of a stranger.

14 A loud greeting
early in the morning
is the same as a curse.

15 The steady dripping of rain
and the nagging of a wife
are one and the same.

16 It's easier to catch the wind
or hold olive oil in your hand
than to stop a nagging wife.

17 Just as iron sharpens iron,
friends sharpen the minds
of each other.

18 Take care of a tree,
and you will eat its fruit;
look after your master,
and you will be praised.

19 You see your face in a mirror
and your thoughts
in the minds of others.

20 Death and the grave
are never satisfied,
and neither are humans.

21 Gold and silver are tested
in a red-hot furnace,
but we are tested by praise.

22 No matter how hard
you beat a fool,
you can't pound out
the foolishness.

23 You should take good care
of your sheep and goats,

24 because wealth and honor
don't last forever.

25 After the hay is cut
and the new growth appears
and the harvest is over,

26 you can sell lambs and goats
to buy clothes and land.

27 From the milk of the goats,
you can make enough cheese
to feed your family
and all your servants.