27
All about Life
1 Do not brag about tomorrow,
because you do not know what another day may bring.
2 Praise should come from another person
and not from your own mouth,
from a stranger and not from your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and sand weighs a lot,
but annoyance caused by a stubborn fool is heavier than both.
4 Anger is cruel, and fury is overwhelming,
but who can survive jealousy?
5 Open criticism is better than unexpressed love.
6 Wounds made by a friend are intended to help,
but an enemy’s kisses are too much to bear.
7 One who is full despises honey,
but to one who is hungry,
even bitter food tastes sweet.
8 Like a bird wandering from its nest,
so is a husband wandering from his home.
9 Perfume and incense make the heart glad,
but the sweetness of a friend is a fragrant forest.*
10 Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend.
Do not go to a relative’s home when you are in trouble.
A neighbor living nearby is better than a relative far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad
so that I can answer anyone who criticizes me.
12 Sensible people foresee trouble and hide.
Gullible people go ahead ⌞and⌟ suffer.
13 Hold on to the garment of one who guarantees a stranger’s loan,
and hold responsible the person
who makes a loan in behalf of a foreigner.
14 Whoever blesses his friend early in the morning with a loud voice—
his blessing is considered a curse.
15 Constantly dripping water on a rainy day is like a quarreling woman.
16 Whoever can control her can control the wind.
He can even pick up olive oil with his right hand.
17 ⌞As⌟ iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens the wits of another.
18 Whoever takes care of a fig tree can eat its fruit,
and whoever protects his master is honored.
19 As a face is reflected in water,
so a person is reflected by his heart.
20 Hell and decay are never satisfied,
and a person’s eyes are never satisfied.
21 The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold,
but a person ⌞is tested⌟ by the praise given to him.
22 If you crush a stubborn fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
⌞even then⌟ his stupidity will not leave him.
23 Be fully aware of the condition of your flock,
and pay close attention to your herds.
24 Wealth is not forever.
Nor does a crown last from one generation to the next.
25 ⌞When⌟ grass is cut short, the tender growth appears,
and vegetables are gathered on the hills.
26 Lambs ⌞will provide⌟ you with clothing,
and the money from the male goats will buy a field.
27 There will be enough goat milk to feed you,
to feed your family,
and to keep your servant girls alive.
* 27:9 Or “is sincere advice.”