Proverbs 26:26-27:21

New International Version

²⁶ Their malice may be concealed by deception,
    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
²⁷ Whoever digs a pit^(A) will fall into it;^(B)
    if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.^(C)
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
    and a flattering mouth^(D) works ruin.

27 Do not boast^(E) about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.^(F)

² Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.^(G)

³ Stone is heavy and sand^(H) a burden,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

⁴ Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?^(I)

⁵ Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.

⁶ Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.^(J)

⁷ One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

⁸ Like a bird that flees its nest^(K)
    is anyone who flees from home.

⁹ Perfume^(L) and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster^(M) strikes you—
    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

¹¹ Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;^(N)
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.^(O)

¹² The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.^(P)

¹³ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.^(Q)

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^(R)
    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,^(S)
    and whoever protects their master will be honored.^(T)

¹⁹ As water reflects the face,
    so one’s life reflects the heart.^[a]

²⁰ Death and Destruction^[b] are never satisfied,^(U)
    and neither are human eyes.^(V)

²¹ The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,^(W)
    but people are tested by their praise.