Proverbs 27

1Do not boast about tomorrow, because you do not know what a day may bring.

2Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

3A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden, but the anger of a fool is heavier than both.

4Fury is cruel, and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?

5Open correction is better than hidden love.

6Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

7A satisfied person refuses even honey, but to a hungry person even something bitter tastes sweet.

8Like a bird that strays from its nest is a person who strays from home.

9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend comes from that friend's heartfelt advice.

10Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house when trouble strikes; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

11My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, so that I can answer anyone who insults me.

12A sensible person sees danger and hides, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

13Take the coat of a person who guarantees a loan for a stranger; hold that coat as security if that person does it for a stranger's benefit.

14Whoever blesses a neighbor loudly early in the morning will be seen as cursing that neighbor instead.

15A constant dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike.

16Restraining her is like restraining the wind, or grasping oil with your hand.

17Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.

18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever cares for a master will be honored.

19As water reflects a person's face, so a person's heart reveals who that person really is.

20The grave and the place of destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.

21The furnace tests silver, and the fire tests gold, but a person is tested by the praise that person receives.

22Even if you crush a fool in a mortar, grinding that fool like grain with a pestle, that fool's foolishness will not leave.

23Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds,

24Because riches do not last forever, and a crown is not secure for every generation.

25When the hay is cut and new growth appears, and the mountain grasses are gathered in,

26The lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats will bring the price of a field.

27You will have plenty of goat's milk for food — for you, for your household, and to nourish your servant girls.