Proverbs 27
1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou know not what a day may bring forth.
Don't boast about what you're going to do tomorrow, because you don't know what the day may bring.
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth, a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Let others praise you, not you yourself; someone else, not you personally.
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty, but a fool's vexation is heavier than both.
Stone may be heavy, and sand may weigh a lot, but the annoyance caused by stupid people is the biggest burden of all.
4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Fury may be fierce and cruel, anger may be a destructive flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden.
Open criticism is better than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
A friend's honest comments may hurt you, but an enemy's kisses are over the top.
7 The full soul loathes a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
If you're full up, you can't face honey; but if you're starving, even bitter food tastes sweet.
8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his place.
Having to leave home is like a bird having to leave its nest.
9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart, so too the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Perfume and scented oils make you feel happy, but good advice from a friend is even better.
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.
Don't give up on your friends or your family's friends. Don't go to a relative's house when you've got trouble. A friend nearby is more useful than a relative far away.
11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.
My son, make me happy by being wise, so I can respond to anyone who criticizes me.
12 A prudent man sees the evil, and hides himself. The simple pass on, and suffer for it.
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and suffer the consequences.
13 Take his garment who is surety for a stranger, and hold him in pledge who is surety for a strange woman.
If someone guarantees a stranger's debt with their cloak, be sure to take it! Make sure you have whatever is pledged to an immoral woman!
14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be considered a curse to him.
If when you get up every morning you shout a loud hello to your neighbors, they will see that as a curse!
15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day, and a contentious woman are alike.
An argumentative wife is as irritating as constant dripping on a rainy day.
16 He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and his right hand encounters oil.
Trying to stop her is like trying to make the wind stop or trying to hold olive oil in your hand.
17 Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
An iron blade is sharpened with an iron tool, and one person's mind is sharpened by another's.
18 He who keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit of it, and he who regards his master shall be honored.
Those who care for a fig tree eat its fruit, and those who care for their master are rewarded.
19 As in water face is to face, so the heart of a man is to a man.
Just as water reflects your face, your mind reflects who you really are.
In the same way that the grave and destruction are never satisfied, human desire is never satisfied. (Sheol h7585)
21 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, and a man is tried by his praise.
Just as a crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, people are tested by the praise they receive.
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.
Even if you ground stupid people in a mortar, crushing them like grain with the pestle, you can't get rid of stupidity from them.
23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
You should know the condition of your flocks really well and take good care of your herds,
24 For riches are not forever. And does the crown endure to all generations?
for wealth doesn't last forever—is a crown passed down through all generations?
25 The hay is carried, and the tender grass shows itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.
Once the hay is cut, and the new growth begins, and fodder from the mountains is gathered,
26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the cost of the field.
and the lambs have provided you wool to make clothing, and the sale of goats have paid for a field,
27 And then will be goats' milk enough for thy food; for the food of thy household, and maintenance for thy maidens.
there'll be enough milk from your goats to feed you, your family, and your servant girls.
