Proverbs 27

1Boast not of tomorrow, for you do not know what the next day shall bring forth. 2Let your neighbor, and not your own mouth, praise you; a stranger, and not your own lips. 3A stone is heavy and sand cumbersome, but a fool's wrath is heavier than both. 4Wrath is merciless and anger sharp, but envy can bear nothing. 5Open reproofs are better than secret love. 6The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy. 7A full soul scorns honeycombs, but to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet. 8As when a bird flies down from its own nest, so a man is brought into bondage whenever he estranges himself from his own place. 9The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes, but the soul is broken by calamities. 10Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; better is a friend that is near than a brother living far off. 11Son, be wise, that your heart may rejoice, and remove from yourself reproachful words. 12A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself, but fools pass on, and will be punished. 13Take away the man's garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another's goods. 14Whosoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses him. 15On a stormy day drops of rain drive a man out of his house, so also does a railing woman drive a man out of his own house. 16The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious. 17Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens his friend's countenance. 18He that plants a fig tree shall eat the fruits of it; so he that waits on his own master shall be honored. 19As faces are not like other faces, so neither are the thoughts of men. 20Hell and destruction are not filled, neither are the eyes of men ever satisfied. 20!AHe that fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord, and the uninstructed do not restrain their tongue. 21Fire is the trial for silver and gold, and a man is tried by the mouth of them that praise him. 21!AThe heart of the transgressor seeks after mischief, but an upright heart seeks knowledge. 22Though you scourge a fool, disgracing him in the midst of the council, you will still in no way remove his folly from him. 23Do you thoroughly know the number of your flock, and pay attention to your herds? 24For a man has not strength and power forever; neither does he transmit it from generation to generation. 25Take care of the herbage in the field, and you shall cut grass, and gather the mountain hay; 26that you may have sheep's wool for clothing; pay attention to the land, that you may have lambs. 27My son, you have from me words very useful for your life, and for the life of your servants.
Copyright information for AB