Proverbs 27

1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips.

3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool’s vexation is heavier than they both.

4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

7 The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, So is a man that wandereth from his place.

9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man’s friend that cometh of hearty counsel.

10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; And go not to thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him that reproacheth me.

12 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for a foreign woman.

14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It shall be counted a curse to him.

15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike:

16 He that would restrain her restraineth the wind; And his right hand encountereth oil.

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; And he that regardeth his master shall be honored.

19 As in water face answereth to face, So the heart of man to man.

20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of man are never satisfied.

21 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is tried by his praise.

22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds:

24 For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure unto all generations?

25 The hay is carried, and the tender grass showeth itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.

26 The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the field;

27 And there will be goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, And maintenance for thy maidens.

Proverbs 27

Don't boast about tomorrow

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

2 Don't boast 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 Don't loan money to a stranger
unless you are given something
to guarantee payment.

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 we.

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 honour
don't last for ever.

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.