[14] If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. [15] A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; [16] restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand. [17] As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. [18] The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored. [19] As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. [20] Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes. [21] The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise. [22] Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them. [23] Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; [24] for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. [25] When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, [26] the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. [27] You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.
