Font Size
Proverbs 27
New International Version
Proverbs 27
New International Version
2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
an outsider, and not your own lips.(C)
3 Stone is heavy and sand(D) a burden,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?(E)
5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.(F)
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(G)
is anyone who flees from home.
9 Perfume(H) 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(I) strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;(J)
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.(K)
12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.(L)
13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.(M)
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(N)
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,(O)
and whoever protects their master will be honored.(P)
19 As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.[a]
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(S)
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,(T)
give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,(U)
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.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 27:19 Or so others reflect your heart back to you
- Proverbs 27:20 Hebrew Abaddon
Proverbs 27
International Standard Version
Proverbs 27
International Standard Version
General Counsel
27 Never brag about the day to come,
because you don’t know what it[a] might bring.
2 Let someone else praise you,
not your own mouth;
a stranger, and never your own lips.
3 Rocks are heavy,
and sand is weighty,
but a fool’s provocation outweighs them both.
4 Wrath can be fierce and anger overwhelms
but who can stand up to jealousy?
5 An open rebuke is better
than unspoken love.
6 Wounds from someone who loves are trustworthy,
but kisses from an enemy speak volumes.[b]
7 The person[c] who is full spurns honey,
but to a hungry person even the bitter seems sweet.
8 Like a bird that strays from its nest
is a man who wanders away from his home.[d]
9 Ointments and perfume encourage the heart;
in a similar way, a friend’s advice is sweet to the soul.[e]
10 Never abandon your friend nor your father’s friend,
and don’t go to your brother’s house in times of trouble.
A neighbor who is near is better
than a brother who lives far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and make me happy,
so I can reply to anyone who insults me.
12 Those who are prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the naïve continue on and suffer the consequences.
13 Take the coat of anyone who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if he cosigns for an immoral woman.
14 A friend’s loud blessing early in the morning
will be thought of as a curse.
15 A continual dripping on a rainy day
and a contentious wife are alike.
16 Trying to keep her in check is like stopping a wind storm
or grabbing oil with your right hand.
17 Iron sharpens iron;
so a man sharpens a friend’s character.[f]
18 Whoever nurtures the fig tree will eat its fruit,
and whoever obeys[g] his master will be honored.
19 Just as water reflects the face,
so the heart reflects the person.
21 As the crucible tests[j] silver,
and the furnace assays[k] gold;
so praise received tests[l] a man.
22 Though you crush a fool in a mortar and pestle
as someone might crush grain,
his stupidity still won’t leave him.
23 Keep well informed of the condition of your flocks
and pay attention to your herds,
24 because riches don’t endure forever,
and crowns don’t last from one generation to the next.
25 When the grass disappears,
and new growth appears,
the mountain spices will be harvested,
26 the lambs will supply your clothing,
and your goats the price of a field.
27 You will have enough goat’s milk to drink
and to supply your household needs,
as well as sustenance for your servant girls.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 27:1 Lit. what a day
- Proverbs 27:6 Lit. enemy are profuse
- Proverbs 27:7 Lit. soul
- Proverbs 27:8 Lit. place
- Proverbs 27:9 So MT; LXX reads heart; but through misfortune the soul is torn apart
- Proverbs 27:17 Lit. countenance
- Proverbs 27:18 Lit. guards
- Proverbs 27:20 I.e. the realm of the dead
- Proverbs 27:20 I.e. the realm of destruction in the afterlife
- Proverbs 27:21 The Heb. lacks tests
- Proverbs 27:21 The Heb. lacks assays
- Proverbs 27:21 The Heb. lacks tests
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
International Standard Version (ISV) 
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.