1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
3 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?
5 Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.
6 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.
8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so [is] a man that wandereth from his place.
9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] 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.
11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
12 A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, [and] hideth 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.
14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
15 A continual dropping 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].
17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth 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.
19 As in water face [answereth] to face, so the heart of man to man.
20 Hell and destruction are never full; 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.
22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, [yet] will not his foolishness depart from him.
23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds.
24 For riches [are] not for ever: and doth the crown [endure] to every generation?
25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26 The lambs [are] for thy 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.
Proverbs 27 Analysis
Proverbs 27 is a chapter that offers practical wisdom and insights on various aspects of life, relationships, and personal conduct. The verses emphasize the importance of humility, the value of friendship, and the necessity of self-reflection. The chapter is structured in a way that presents a series of aphorisms and maxims, making it easy to digest and apply in daily life.
Key Themes
- Humility and Self-Awareness:
Verses 1-2 emphasize the importance of humility and the dangers of boasting. The advice to not boast about tomorrow highlights the uncertainty of life and the need for humility in our plans.
- The Value of Friendship:
Verses 5-6 and 9-10 discuss the significance of honest and loyal friendships. The comparison of faithful wounds to deceitful kisses underscores the idea that true friends may offer tough love for our benefit.
- Self-Care and Preparation:
Verses 23-27 focus on the importance of being diligent in one’s responsibilities, particularly in caring for one’s household and preparing for the future. This theme encourages proactive behavior and foresight.
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown
- Verse 1: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
- Verse 2: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
- Verse 3: “A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.”
- Verses 4-5: “Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love.”
- Verse 6: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
- Verses 7-8: “One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet. Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.”
- Verses 9-10: “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend.”
- Verses 11-12: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me. The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
- Verses 13-14: “Take a garment when you pledge for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when you pledge for foreigners. If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted as cursing.”
- Verses 15-16: “A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike; to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.”
- Verses 17: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
- Verses 18-21: “Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored. As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.”
- Verses 22-24: “Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever.”
- Verses 25-27: “When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.”
This verse cautions against arrogance and presumption regarding the future. It serves as a reminder of life’s unpredictability.
Here, the text emphasizes the virtue of humility and the idea that self-praise is often viewed negatively.
This verse illustrates the burdensome nature of foolishness and the emotional weight that comes from dealing with a fool.
The contrast between various emotions highlights the destructive nature of jealousy, while advocating for honest communication in relationships.
This verse emphasizes the value of true friendship, which may involve difficult truths, as opposed to the flattery of those who do not have our best interests at heart.
These verses reflect on contentment and the importance of belonging, suggesting that those who are satisfied may overlook good things, while those in need will appreciate even the bitter.
The joy of friendship and wise counsel is highlighted, reinforcing the idea of loyalty and the importance of maintaining close relationships.
These verses encourage wisdom and foresight, suggesting that being aware of potential dangers can lead to better decision-making.
The first part warns against financial irresponsibility, while the second part highlights the importance of timing and appropriateness in communication.
This metaphor illustrates the challenges of dealing with contentious relationships, emphasizing the difficulty of managing persistent conflict.
This well-known proverb underscores the value of mutual growth and improvement through relationships, particularly friendships.
These verses illustrate the principles of diligence, reflection, and the testing of character, suggesting that true worth is revealed through challenges and recognition.
The first part emphasizes the stubbornness of folly, while the second part stresses the importance of stewardship and responsibility in managing resources.
These concluding verses reinforce the themes of preparation and diligent care for one’s responsibilities, emphasizing the rewards of hard work and foresight.
Conclusion
Proverbs 27 serves as a rich source of wisdom, offering insights that are applicable to various areas of life. The chapter encourages humility, the cultivation of meaningful relationships, and the importance of diligence and preparation. Its practical advice remains relevant, providing guidance for navigating the complexities of human interactions and personal development.
