Proverbs 27:17-27

English Standard Version

¹⁷Iron sharpens iron,
    and one man sharpens another.^[a]
¹⁸^(A)Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and he who ^(B)guards his master will be honored.
¹⁹As in water face reflects face,
    so the heart of man reflects the man.
²⁰^(C)Sheol and Abaddon are ^(D)never satisfied,
    and ^(E)never satisfied are the eyes of man.
²¹^(F)The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and a man is tested by his praise.
²²^(G)Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle
    along with crushed grain,
    yet his folly will not depart from him.

²³^(H)Know well the condition of your flocks,
    and ^(I)give attention to your herds,
²⁴for ^(J)riches do not last forever;
    and does a crown endure to all generations?
²⁵^(K)When the grass is gone and the new growth appears
    and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,
²⁶^(L)the lambs will provide your clothing,
    and the goats the price of a field.
²⁷^(M)There will be enough goats' milk for your food,
    for the food of your household
    and maintenance for your girls.