Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
18 He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.
18
The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.
19 As in water face answers to face, so the mind of man reflects the man.
19
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.
20
Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.
21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is judged by his praise.
21
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.
22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.
22
Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.
23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds;
23
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not last for ever; and does a crown endure to all generations?
24
for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the grass is gone, and the new growth appears, and the herbage of the mountains is gathered,
25
When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field;
26
the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
27 there will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your maidens.
27
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.