Proverbs 27
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Don't boast about what you're going to do tomorrow, because you don't know what the day may bring.
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips.
Let others praise you, not you yourself; someone else, not you personally.
3 A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them 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 like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
Fury may be fierce and cruel, anger may be a destructive flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
Open criticism is better than hidden love.
6 The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
A friend's honest comments may hurt you, but an enemy's kisses are over the top.
7 The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any 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 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
Having to leave home is like a bird having to leave its nest.
9 Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
Perfume and scented oils make you feel happy, but good advice from a friend is even better.
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.
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 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
My son, make me happy by being wise, so I can respond to anyone who criticizes me.
12 The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
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 the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
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 If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.
If when you get up every morning you shout a loud hello to your neighbors, they will see that as a curse!
15 A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
An argumentative wife is as irritating as constant dripping on a rainy day.
16 restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
Trying to stop her is like trying to make the wind stop or trying to hold olive oil in your hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
An iron blade is sharpened with an iron tool, and one person's mind is sharpened by another's.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
Those who care for a fig tree eat its fruit, and those who care for their master are rewarded.
19 As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true 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 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
Just as a crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, people are tested by the praise they receive.
22 Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly 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 sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
You should know the condition of your flocks really well and take good care of your herds,
24 for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
for wealth doesn't last forever—is a crown passed down through all generations?
25 When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered,
Once the hay is cut, and the new growth begins, and fodder from the mountains is gathered,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
and the lambs have provided you wool to make clothing, and the sale of goats have paid for a field,
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you— food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.
there'll be enough milk from your goats to feed you, your family, and your servant girls.
