Proverbs

¹ Do not boast about tomorrow,

for you do not know what a day may bring.

² Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—

a stranger, and not your own lips.

³ A stone is heavy and sand is a burden,

but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.

⁴ Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood,

but who can withstand jealousy?

⁵ Better an open rebuke

than love that is concealed.

⁶ The wounds of a friend are faithful,

but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

⁷ The soul that is full loathes honey,

but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.

⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest

is a man who wanders from his home.

⁹ Oil and incense bring joy to the heart,

and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.

¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend,

and do not go to your brother’s house

in the day of your calamity;

better a neighbor nearby

than a brother far away.

¹¹ Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart,

so that I can answer him who taunts me.

¹² The prudent see danger and take cover;

but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

¹³ Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger;

get collateral if it is for a foreigner. ^[a]

¹⁴ If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,

it will be counted to him as a curse.

¹⁵ A constant dripping on a rainy day

and a contentious woman are alike—

¹⁶ restraining her is like holding back the wind

or grasping oil with one’s right hand.

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,

so one man sharpens another. ^[b]

¹⁸ Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,

and he who looks after his master will be honored.

¹⁹ As water reflects the face,

so the heart reflects the true man.

²⁰ Sheol and Abaddon ^[c] are never satisfied;

so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

²¹ A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold,

but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.

²² Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle,

yet his folly will not depart from him.

²³ Be sure to know the state of your flocks,

and pay close attention to your herds;

²⁴ for riches are not forever,

nor does a crown endure to every generation.

²⁵ When hay is removed and new growth appears

and the grain from the hills is gathered,

²⁶ the lambs will provide you with clothing,

and the goats with the price of a field.

²⁷ You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—

food for your household

and nourishment for your maidservants.