Proverbs 27
1 Boast not of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what the next day shall 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 thy neighbour, and not thine own mouth, praise thee; 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 sand cumbersome; but a fool's wrath 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 merciless, and anger sharp: but envy can bear nothing.
Fury may be fierce and cruel, anger may be a destructive flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Open reproofs are better than secret love.
Open criticism is better than hidden love.
6 The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy.
A friend's honest comments may hurt you, but an enemy's kisses are over the top.
7 A full soul scorns honeycombs; but to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet.
If you're full up, you can't face honey; but if you're starving, even bitter food tastes sweet.
8 As when a bird flies down from its own nest, so a man is brought into bondage whenever he estranges himself from his own place.
Having to leave home is like a bird having to leave its nest.
9 The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes: but the soul is broken by calamities.
Perfume and scented oils make you feel happy, but good advice from a friend is even better.
10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; and when thou art in distress go not into thy brother's house: better is a friend [that is] near than a brother living 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 Son, be wise, that thy heart may rejoice; and remove thou from thyself reproachful words.
My son, make me happy by being wise, so I can respond to anyone who criticizes me.
12 A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; but fools pass on, and will be punished.
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 away the man's garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another's goods.
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 Whosoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses [him].
If when you get up every morning you shout a loud hello to your neighbors, they will see that as a curse!
15 On a stormy day drops [of rain] drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman [drive a man] out of his own house.
An argumentative wife is as irritating as constant dripping on a rainy day.
16 The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious.
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; and a man sharpens his friend's countenance.
An iron blade is sharpened with an iron tool, and one person's mind is sharpened by another's.
18 He that plants a fig-tree shall eat the fruits of it: so he that waits on his own master shall be honoured.
Those who care for a fig tree eat its fruit, and those who care for their master are rewarded.
19 As faces are not like [other] faces, so neither are the thoughts of men.
Just as water reflects your face, your mind reflects who you really are.
20 Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable. [He that fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord; and the uninstructed do not restrain their tongue.] (Sheol h7585)
In the same way that the grave and destruction are never satisfied, human desire is never satisfied. (Sheol h7585)
21 Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and a man is tried by the mouth of them that praise him. The heart of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an upright heart seeks knowledge.
Just as a crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, people are tested by the praise they receive.
22 Though thou scourge a fool, disgracing him in the midst of the council, thou wilt [still] in no wise remove his folly 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 Do thou thoroughly know the number of thy flock, and pay attention to thine herds.
You should know the condition of your flocks really well and take good care of your herds,
24 For a man [has] not strength and power for ever; neither does he transmit it from generation to generation.
for wealth doesn't last forever—is a crown passed down through all generations?
25 Take care of the herbage in the field, and thou shalt cut grass, and gather the mountain hay;
Once the hay is cut, and the new growth begins, and fodder from the mountains is gathered,
26 that thou mayest have [wool of] sheep for clothing: pay attention to the land, that thou mayest have lambs.
and the lambs have provided you wool to make clothing, and the sale of goats have paid for a field,
27 [My] son, thou hast from me words very useful for thy life, and for the life of thy servants.
there'll be enough milk from your goats to feed you, your family, and your servant girls.
