Proverbs 27
1 Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.
Don't boast about what you're going to do tomorrow, because you don't know what the day may bring.
2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Let others praise you, not you yourself; someone else, not you personally.
3 A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
Stone may be heavy, and sand may weigh a lot, but the annoyance caused by stupid people is the biggest burden of all.
4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Fury may be fierce and cruel, anger may be a destructive flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Open criticism is better than hidden love.
6 The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
A friend's honest comments may hurt you, but an enemy's kisses are over the top.
7 A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
If you're full up, you can't face honey; but if you're starving, even bitter food tastes sweet.
8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.
Having to leave home is like a bird having to leave its nest.
9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
Perfume and scented oils make you feel happy, but good advice from a friend is even better.
10 Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother.
Don't give up on your friends or your family's friends. Don't go to a relative's house when you've got trouble. A friend nearby is more useful than a relative far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
My son, make me happy by being wise, so I can respond to anyone who criticizes me.
12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and suffer the consequences.
13 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
If someone guarantees a stranger's debt with their cloak, be sure to take it! Make sure you have whatever is pledged to an immoral woman!
14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.
If when you get up every morning you shout a loud hello to your neighbors, they will see that as a curse!
15 A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
An argumentative wife is as irritating as constant dripping on a rainy day.
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
Trying to stop her is like trying to make the wind stop or trying to hold olive oil in your hand.
17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
An iron blade is sharpened with an iron tool, and one person's mind is sharpened by another's.
18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.
Those who care for a fig tree eat its fruit, and those who care for their master are rewarded.
19 Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
Just as water reflects your face, your mind reflects who you really are.
In the same way that the grave and destruction are never satisfied, human desire is never satisfied. (Sheol h7585)
21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
Just as a crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, people are tested by the praise they receive.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
Even if you ground stupid people in a mortar, crushing them like grain with the pestle, you can't get rid of stupidity from them.
23 Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds,
You should know the condition of your flocks really well and take good care of your herds,
24 for riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations.
for wealth doesn't last forever—is a crown passed down through all generations?
25 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
Once the hay is cut, and the new growth begins, and fodder from the mountains is gathered,
26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.
and the lambs have provided you wool to make clothing, and the sale of goats have paid for a field,
27 There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.
there'll be enough milk from your goats to feed you, your family, and your servant girls.
