THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

Proverbs 27

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

2 ¶ Let another man praise you, not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

3 ¶ A stone is heavy, and sand weighs much; but a fool’s annoyance is heavier than them both.

4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is an overwhelming flood; but who is able to stand before envy?

5 ¶ Open rebuke is better than secret love.

6 The wounds of a friend are trustworthy; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

7 ¶ One who is full has no desire for honey; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8 ¶ A man who wanders from his home, is like a bird that wanders from her nest.

9 ¶ Ointment and perfume bring joy to the heart: so does the sweetness of sincere counsel given by a friend.

10 Do not forsake your friend, and your father’s friend; or go to your brother’s home when you are in trouble: for a neighbor who is near is better than a brother who is far away.

11 ¶ My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, so that I may answer anyone who insults me.

12 ¶ A prudent man foresees trouble, and avoids it; but the simple continue on, and suffer for it.

13 ¶ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a foreigner, and hold a man responsible for a pledge made on behalf of a stranger.

14 ¶ He who rises early in the morning. And blesses his friend with a loud voice, may have him react as if it were a curse.

15 ¶ An endless dripping on a rainy day and a nagging wife are alike.

16 To restrain her is to restrain the wind, or to grasp olive oil with the right hand.

17 ¶ As iron sharpens iron; a man sharpens the thinking of his friend.

18 ¶ Anyone who keeps a fig tree will eat its fruit: likewise anyone who protects his master will be honored.

19 ¶ As water reflects the face, a man reflects what is in his heart.

20 ¶ As death and the grave are never satisfied; the eyes of man are never satisfied.

21 ¶ As silver is tested in the refining pot, and gold in the furnace; so is a man by the praise he receives.

22 ¶ Even if you grind a fool like wheat, in a mortar with a pestle, his foolishness still will not depart from him.

23 ¶ Make it a point to know how your flock is, and pay careful attention to your herd.

24 For riches do not last for ever: and does a crown endure to all generations?

25 When the hay is removed, and new growth appears, and grain is gathered from the hills.

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

27 There will be enough goats milk for you and your household, and for the nourishment of your maids.