Proverbs 27
1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou know not what a day may bring forth.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth, a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty, but a fool's vexation is heavier than both.
A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden.
Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7 The full soul loathes a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his place.
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart, so too the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
10 Forsake not thine own friend, and thy father's friend. And go not to thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity. Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far off.
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 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
12 A prudent man sees the evil, and hides himself. The simple pass on, and suffer for it.
The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
13 Take his garment who is surety for a stranger, and hold him in pledge who is surety for a strange woman.
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be considered a curse to him.
If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.
15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day, and a contentious woman are alike.
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
16 He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and his right hand encounters oil.
restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
17 Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
18 He who keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit of it, and he who regards his master shall be honored.
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
19 As in water face is to face, so the heart of a man is to a man.
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. (Sheol h7585)
21 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, and a man is tried by his praise.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
22 Though thou should pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
24 For riches are not forever. And does the crown endure to all generations?
for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
25 The hay is carried, and the tender grass shows itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.
When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered,
26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the cost of the field.
the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
27 And then will be goats' milk enough for thy food; for the food of thy household, and maintenance for thy maidens.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you— food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.
