Proverbs 27

Chapter 27

1 Don’t brag about tomorrow,
since you don’t know what the day will bring.2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—
a stranger, not your own lips.3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood,
but jealousy is even more dangerous.5 An open rebuke
is better than hidden love!6 Wounds from a sincere friend
are better than many kisses from an enemy.7 A person who is full refuses honey,
but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.8 A person who strays from home
is like a bird that strays from its nest.9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend
is as sweet as perfume and incense.10 Never abandon a friend—
either yours or your father’s.
When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance.
It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.11 Be wise, my child,t and make my heart glad.
Then I will be able to answer my critics.12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.13 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt.
Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.t14 A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning
will be taken as a curse!15 A quarrelsome wife is as annoying
as constant dripping on a rainy day.16 Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind
or trying to hold something with greased hands.17 As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit,
so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.19 As a face is reflected in water,
so the heart reflects the real person.20 Just as Death and Destructiont are never satisfied,
so human desire is never satisfied.21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but a person is tested by being praised.t22 You cannot separate fools from their foolishness,
even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.23 Know the state of your flocks,
and put your heart into caring for your herds,24 for riches don’t last forever,
and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.25 After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears
and the mountain grasses are gathered in,26 your sheep will provide wool for clothing,
and your goats will provide the price of a field.27 And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself,
your family, and 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.