Proverbs of Solomon 27 — The Holy Bible

Wisdom for Today

Do not boast about tomorrow,

For you do not know what the next day will bring forth.

Let your neighbor praise you, and not your own mouth;

A stranger, and not your own lips.

A stone is heavy, and sand is cumbersome;

But the wrath of a man without discernment is heavier than both.

Wrath is merciless and anger passionate,

But jealousy supports nothing.

Open reproofs are better than hidden love.

The wounds of a friend are more trustworthy

Than the voluntary kisses of an enemy.

A satiated soul mocks honeycombs,

But to a hungry soul, even bitter things appear sweet.

As when a bird flies down from its own nest,

So is a man enslaved whenever he becomes a fugitive from his own place.

The heart delights in perfumes, wines, and incenses,

But the soul is broken by mishaps.

Do not abandon your friend or the friend of your father,

And when you have misfortune, do not go to your brother's house;

A friend nearby is better than a brother far away.

My son, become wise, that my heart may be glad,

And turn away from your reproachful words.

An astute man hides when evils are at hand,

But when men without discernment are at hand, they will pay the penalty.

If a haughty man passes by, take away his garment,

For he lays waste the goods of another.

Whoever blesses a friend early in the morning with a loud voice,

He will not seem different from one who curses him.

Continual dripping on a rainy day drives a man from his house;

In like manner, a contentious woman also drives a man from his own house.

The north wind is a harsh wind,

And a prosperous man is called harsh.

Iron sharpens iron,

And a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Whoever plants a fig tree will eat its fruit,

And whoever guards his own master will be honored.

As faces are not like other faces,

So neither are the hearts of men.

Hades and destruction are not satiated;

In like manner the eyes of men are also insatiable.

He whose eye is fixed is an abomination to the Lord,

And the uninstructed are intemperate with the tongue.

Proving by fire is a way of testing for silver and gold,

But a man is tested by the mouth of those who praise him.

A lawless heart seeks evil things,

But an upright heart seeks knowledge.

If you should whip a man without discernment in the midst of the council and dishonor him,

You would not remove his lack of discernment.

Know thoroughly the souls of your sheep,

And you will set your heart on your flocks,

Since strength and might are not in man forever,

Neither are they transmitted from generation to generation.

Take care of the green plants in the field, and cut the herbs short,

And gather the grass of the mountains.

That you may have the wool of sheep for clothing,

Honor the field, so there may be lambs for you.

My son, you have strong sayings from me for your life

And for the life of your servants.