Proverbs 27:1-27 ICB

[1] Don't brag about what will happen tomorrow. You don't really know what will happen then. [2] Don't praise yourself. Let someone else do it. Let the praise come from a stranger and not from your own mouth. [3] Stone is heavy, and sand is hard to carry. But the complaining of a foolish person causes more trouble than either. [4] Anger is cruel. It destroys like a flood. But who can put up with jealousy! [5] It is better to correct someone openly than to love him and not show it. [6] The slap of a friend can be trusted to help you. But the kisses of an enemy are nothing but lies. [7] When someone is full, not even honey tastes good. But when he is hungry, even something bitter tastes sweet. [8] A man who leaves his home is like a bird that leaves its nest. [9] Perfume and oils make you happy. And good advice from a friend is sweet. [10] Don't forget your friend or your father's friend. Don't always go to your brother for help when trouble comes. A neighbor close by is better than a brother far away. [11] Be wise, my child, and you will make me happy. Then I can respond to any insult. [12] When a wise person sees danger ahead, he avoids it. But a foolish person keeps going and gets into trouble. [13] Take the coat of someone who promises to pay what a stranger owes. Keep it until he pays the stranger's bills. [14] Don't greet your neighbor loudly early in the morning. He will think of it as a curse. [15] A quarreling wife is as bothersome as a continual dripping on a rainy day. [16] Stopping her is like stopping the wind. It's like trying to grab oil in your hand. [17] Iron can sharpen iron. In the same way, people can help each other. [18] The person who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit. And the person who takes care of his master will be honored. [19] As water shows you your face, so your mind shows you what kind of person you are. [20] People will never stop dying and being destroyed. In the same way, people will never stop wanting more than they have. [21] A hot furnace tests silver and gold. And people are tested by the praise they receive. [22] Even if you ground up a foolish person like grain in a bowl, you couldn't remove his foolishness. [23] Be sure you know how your sheep are doing. Pay close attention to the condition of your cattle. [24] Riches will not continue forever. Nor do governments continue forever. [25] Bring in the hay. Let the new grass appear. Gather the grass from the hills. [26] Make clothes from the lambs' wool. Sell some goats to buy a field. [27] There will be plenty of goat milk to feed you and your family. It will make your servant girls healthy.