Proverbs 27

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

2Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.

3A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both.

4Rage is cruel and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?

5Better an open rebuke than hidden love.

6The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

7One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.

8Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a person who wanders from his home.

9Oil and incense make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from heartfelt counsel.

10Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house on the day of your disaster; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

11Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, so that I can answer anyone who taunts me.

12A shrewd person sees danger and hides, but the simple keep going and pay for it.

13Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge when he does it for a foreign woman.

14Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning—it will be counted as a curse to him.

15A constant dripping on a day of pouring rain and a quarrelsome wife are alike;

16whoever would restrain her restrains the wind or grasps oil with his right hand.

17Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens his friend.

18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever looks after his master will be honored.

19As water reflects the face, so a person’s heart reflects the person.

20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and human eyes are never satisfied.

21The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, and a person is tested by the praise he receives.

22Even if you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with the grain, his folly will not leave him.

23Be sure you know the condition of your flocks; pay close attention to your herds,

24for wealth does not last forever, and a crown does not endure for all generations.

25When the hay is gone and new growth appears, and the grass of the hills is gathered in,

26the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field.

27There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household, and to sustain your servant girls.