1Do not boast about tomorrow; for you do not know what a day may bring. 2Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. 3A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty, but a fool's wrath is out-weighs them both. 4Wrath is cruel, and fury is outrageous, but envy is even more dangerous. 5Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many compliments from a deceitful enemy. 7One who is full will even refuse a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul, every bitter morsel is sweet. 8Like a bird that wanders from her nest is a man that strays from his place. 9The heartfelt counsel of a man's friend is sweeter than perfume or incense. 10Do not forsake your own friend, and a friend of your family; and do not go to your brother's house in your day of calamity; for better is a neighbor that is near than a distant brother. 11My son, be wise, and make me glad, that I may answer anyone who treats me with contempt. 12A prudent man foresees danger, and takes refuge, but the simple pass on, oblivious to the danger, and suffer harm. 13Get security from anyone who guarantees the debt of a stranger, and get a deposit from if he does it for foreigners. 14A loud and cheerful greeting from a neighbor early in the morning shall be considered a curse. 15A quarrelsome woman and a continual dropping on a very rainy day are much alike; 16Restraining her is like holding back the wind, or like gripping something with oil on your hand. 17As iron sharpens iron; so one person sharpens his friend. 18Whoever tends to the fig tree shall eat its fruit; he that serves his master shall be honored. 19As water reflects the face, so the life of a man reflects his heart. 20Death and destruction are never satisfied; nor are the eyes of man. 21As the refining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so is a man tested by being praised. 22Though you grind a fool in a mortar and a pestle, yet you will not separate him from his foolishness. 23Be sure you know the state of your flocks, and pay careful attention to your herds; 24For riches are not forever; and a crown does not necessarily pass from generation to generation. 25When the hay is gathered, and the tender grass appears with the herbs of the mountains, 26The lambs will provide you your clothing, and the goats with the price of the field. 27And you shall have an abundance of goats' milk for food for yourself and for your household, and servant girls. Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |