Proverbs 27:1-27 AMPC

[1] Do not boast of [yourself and] tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth. [2] Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. [3] Stone is heavy and sand weighty, but a fool's [unreasoning] wrath is heavier and more intolerable than both of them. [4] Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood, but who is able to stand before jealousy? [5] Open rebuke is better than love that is hidden. [6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful. [7] He who is satiated [with sensual pleasures] loathes and treads underfoot a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. [8] Like a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who strays from his home. [9] Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart. [10] Your own friend and your father's friend, forsake them not; neither go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near [in spirit] than a brother who is far off [in heart]. [11] My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me [as having failed in my parental duty]. [12] A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering]. [13] [The judge tells the creditor] Take the garment of one who is security for a stranger; and hold him in pledge when he is security for foreigners. [14] The flatterer who loudly praises and glorifies his neighbor, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted as cursing him [for he will be suspected of sinister purposes]. [15] A continual dripping on a day of violent showers and a contentious woman are alike; [16] Whoever attempts to restrain [a contentious woman] might as well try to stop the wind-his right hand encounters oil [and she slips through his fingers]. [17] Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]. [18] Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so he who patiently and faithfully guards and heeds his master shall be honored. [19] As in water face answers to and reflects face, so the heart of man to man. [20] Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the place of destruction) are never satisfied; so [the lust of] the eyes of man is never satisfied. [21] As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold [bring forth all the impurities of the metal], so let a man be in his trial of praise [ridding himself of all that is base or insincere; for a man is judged by what he praises and of what he boasts]. [22] Even though like grain you should pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. [23] Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds; [24] For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations? [25] When the hay is gone, the tender grass shows itself, and herbs of the mountain are gathered in, [26] The lambs will be for your clothing, and the goats [will furnish you] the price of a field. [27] And there will be goats' milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance of your maids.