The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Proverbs 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 neighbor 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 neighbor 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
honored.
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, yethis 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.