Proverbs 27 - New International Version, 1984
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips.
someone else, and not your own lips.
Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.
but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?
but who can stand before jealousy?
Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
than hidden love.
Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.
but an enemy multiplies kisses.
He who is full loathes honey,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
Like a bird that strays from its nest
is a man who strays from his home.
is a man who strays from his home.
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.
and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.
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.
and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.
The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.
hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.
If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.
it will be taken as a curse.
A quarrelsome wife is like
a constant dripping on a rainy day;
a constant dripping on a rainy day;
restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
or grasping oil with the hand.
As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
so one man sharpens another.
He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and he who looks after his master will be honored.
and he who looks after his master will be honored.
As water reflects a face,
so a man’s heart reflects the man.
so a man’s heart reflects the man.
Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
and neither are the eyes of man.
and neither are the eyes of man.
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but man is tested by the praise he receives.
but man is tested by the praise he receives.
Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding him like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove his folly from him.
grinding him like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove his folly from him.
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
give careful attention to your herds;
give careful attention to your herds;
for riches do not endure forever,
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
When the hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.
and the goats with the price of a field.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk
to feed you and your family
and to nourish your servant girls.
to feed you and your family
and to nourish your servant girls.