Proverbs 27
Contrasting proverbs address the uncertainty of tomorrow, the value of open rebuke over hidden love, the sharpening of friend by friend as iron sharpens iron, and the restless stirring of envy. The chapter urges diligence in knowing the state of one's flocks, for riches do not endure forever.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. | Do not boast of tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. |
| 2 | Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. | Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. |
| 3 | A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. | A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty, but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. |
| 4 | Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? | Wrath is cruel and anger is outrageous, but who is able to stand before envy? |
| 5 | Open rebuke is better than secret love. | Open rebuke is better than secret love. |
| 6 | Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. | Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. |
| 7 | The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. | The full soul loathes a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. |
| 8 | As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. | As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his place. |
| 9 | Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. | Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, and so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. |
| 10 | Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. | Do not forsake your own friend, or your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far off. |
| 11 | My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. | My son, be wise and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me. |
| 12 | A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. | A prudent man foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. |
| 13 | Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. | Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for a strange woman. |
| 14 | He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. | He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted a curse to him. |
| 15 | A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. | A continual dripping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. |
| 16 | Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself. | Whoever hides her hides the wind, and the ointment of his right hand betrays itself. |
| 17 | Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. | Iron sharpens iron, and so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. |
| 18 | Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. | Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who waits on his master will be honored. |
| 19 | As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. | As in water face answers to face, so the heart of man to man. |
| 20 | Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. | Hell and destruction are never full, and so the eyes of man are never satisfied. |
| 21 | As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. | As the refining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so is a man tested by his praise. |
| 22 | Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. | Though you should grind a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet his foolishness will not depart from him. |
| 23 | Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. | Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds, |
| 24 | For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? | for riches are not forever, and does the crown endure to every generation? |
| 25 | The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. | The hay appears, the tender grass shows itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered. |
| 26 | The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. | The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. |
| 27 | And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens. | You will have goats' milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance of your maidens. |