Proverbs 27:1-27 NCV

[1] Don't brag about tomorrow; you don't know what may 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 weighty, but a complaining fool is worse than either. [4] Anger is cruel and destroys like a flood, but no one can put up with jealousy! [5] It is better to correct someone openly than to have love 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 you are full, not even honey tastes good, but when you are hungry, even something bitter tastes sweet. [8] A person who leaves his home is like a bird that leaves its nest. [9] The sweet smell of perfume and oils is pleasant, and so is good advice from a friend. [10] Don't forget your friend or your parent's friend. Don't always go to your family for help when trouble comes. A neighbor close by is better than a family far away. [11] Be wise, my child, and make me happy. Then I can respond to any insult. [12] The wise see danger ahead and avoid it, but fools keep going and get into trouble. [13] Take the coat of someone who promises to pay a stranger's loan, and keep it until he pays what the stranger owes. [14] If you loudly greet your neighbor 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 or trying to grab oil in your hand. [17] As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other. [18] Whoever tends a fig tree gets to eat its fruit, and whoever takes care of his master will receive honor. [19] As water reflects your face, so your mind shows what kind of person you are. [20] People will never stop dying and being destroyed, and they 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 the foolishness. [23] Be sure you know how your sheep are doing, and pay attention to the condition of your cattle. [24] Riches will not go on forever, nor do governments go on forever. [25] Bring in the hay, and let the new grass appear. Gather the grass from the hills. [26] Make clothes from the lambs' wool, and sell some goats to buy a field. [27] There will be plenty of goat's milk to feed you and your family and to make your servant girls healthy.