Proverbs 27
Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
(James 4:13–17)
¹ Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
² Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips.
³ A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
⁴ Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
⁵ Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
⁶ The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
⁷ The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
⁹ Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul.
¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
¹¹ Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
¹² The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
¹³ Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.1
¹⁴ If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.
¹⁵ A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
¹⁶ restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.2
¹⁸ Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
¹⁹ As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
²⁰ Sheol and Abaddon 3 are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
²¹ A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
²² Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
²³ Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
²⁴ for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
²⁵ When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered,
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— food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.