Proverbs 27

²Let others praise you, not yourself. It is better when someone else says you did well. Do not praise yourself.

³Stones are heavy. Sand is heavy too. But the anger of a foolish person is heavier than both. It is a terrible burden to bear.

⁴Anger is cruel and violent. But envy — wanting what others have — is even harder to stop. It destroys from the inside.

⁵It is better to tell someone clearly when they are wrong. Love that stays silent when it should speak is not truly helpful.

⁶A true friend's correction hurts a little, but it is faithful and good. An enemy may smile and flatter, but their kindness is a trick.

⁷A person who is already full does not want even sweet honey. But a person who is very hungry finds even bitter things taste good. Need changes everything.

⁸A bird that leaves its nest is in danger. A person who wanders away from where they belong is also in danger.

⁹Sweet perfume makes the heart happy. In the same way, a friend who gives you kind and honest advice brings real joy to your heart.

¹⁰Do not abandon old and trusted friends. When trouble comes, a nearby friend may help you more than a far-away brother. Stay close to loyal people.

¹¹My son, be wise. When you are wise, you make my heart glad. Your wisdom shows others that I have taught you well.

¹²A wise person sees danger coming and gets out of the way. A foolish person does not see it and keeps walking — and gets hurt.

¹³If someone promises to pay a debt for a stranger or an untrustworthy person, be very careful. Make them give you something valuable as security.

¹⁴If you shout loud greetings at your friend very early in the morning, they will not think of it as kindness. Too much at the wrong time becomes annoying.

¹⁵A dripping roof on a rainy day never stops and drives you mad. A person who always wants to argue is just like that — exhausting and never-ending.

¹⁶Trying to stop a quarrelsome person is like trying to grab the wind. You cannot hold it. Their nature reveals itself no matter what.

¹⁷Just as iron sharpens iron, a good friend helps make you better. True friends improve each other.

¹⁸The person who tends a fig tree gets to eat its fruit. The person who faithfully serves their master will be honoured. Faithful work brings its reward.

¹⁹A face reflected in water shows you exactly what is there. People's hearts reflect each other too — what is in you, you often find in others.

²⁰The grave is never full — it always takes more. In the same way, human eyes are never truly satisfied. Wanting more never ends.

²¹Fire tests silver and gold and shows what they truly are. Praise tests a person and shows their true character. How you handle praise reveals who you are.

²²Even if you ground a foolish person like grain in a mortar, their foolishness would not leave them. Foolishness goes very deep into a person's heart.

²³Be diligent. Know the state of what is in your care. Look carefully after the things and people God has given you to tend.

²⁴Riches do not last for ever. Even crowns and kingdoms do not last from one generation to the next. Only faithful work and God's blessing endure.

²⁵The hay appears and the new grass grows. Herbs from the hills are gathered in their season. God provides what is needed at the right time.

²⁶The lambs give you wool for clothing. The goats can be sold to buy more land. Faithful care of what you have provides what you need.

²⁷Faithful care of your goats will give you enough milk. There will be enough for you, your family, and all who depend on you. Diligence feeds your whole household.