Proverbs 27

International Standard Version

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.

²⁰ Sheol^[h] and Abaddon^[i] are never satiated,
    and neither are human eyes.

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.