Chapter 27
1 Don’t boast about tomorrow ; for you don’t know what a day may bring .
2 Let another man praise you , and not your own mouth ; a stranger , and not your own lips .
3 A stone is heavy , and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both .
4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy ?
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
7 A full soul loathes a honeycomb ; but to a hungry soul , every bitter thing is sweet .
8 As a bird that wanders from her nest , so is a man who wanders from his home .
9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart ; so does earnest counsel from a man ’s friend .
10 Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend . Don’t go to your brother ’s house in the day of your disaster . A neighbour who is near is better than a distant brother .
11 Be wise , my son , and bring joy to my heart , then I can answer my tormentor.
12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on , and suffer for it .
13 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger . Hold it for a wayward woman !
14 He who blesses his neighbour with a loud voice early in the morning , it will be taken as a curse by him .
15 A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike :
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind , or like grasping oil in his right hand .
17 Iron sharpens iron ; so a man sharpens his friend ’s countenance .
18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit . He who looks after his master shall be honoured .
19 Like water reflects a face , so a man ’s heart reflects the man .
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied ; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied .
21 The crucible is for silver , and the furnace for gold ; but man is refined by his praise .
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain , yet his foolishness will not be removed from him .
23 Know well the state of your flocks , and pay attention to your herds ,
24 for riches are not forever , nor does the crown endure to all generations .
25 The hay is removed , and the new growth appears , the grasses of the hills are gathered in .
26 The lambs are for your clothing , and the goats are the price of a field .
27 There will be plenty of goats ’ milk for your food , for your family ’s food , and for the nourishment of your servant girls .