Proverbs 27

Do Not Boast about Tomorrow

1 Do not boast about tomorrow, ¹ 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 counsel of a friend is sweetness 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 grass 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.

Proverbs 27 Commentary

Chapter 27

Verse 1 We know not what a day may bring forth. This does not forbid preparing for to-morrow, but presuming upon to-morrow. We must not put off the great work of conversion, that one thing needful. Verse 2 . There may be occasion for us to justify ourselves, ( proverbs 27:3-4 ) ( proverbs 27:5-6 ) rebukes are better, not only than secret hatred, but than love which compliments in sin, to the hurt of the soul. Verse 7 . The poor have a better relish of their enjoyments, and are often more thankful for them, than the rich. In like manner the proud and self-sufficient disdain the gospel; but those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, find comfort from the meanest book or sermon that testifies of Christ Jesus. Verse 8 . Every man has his proper place in society, where he may be safe and comfortable. ( proverbs 27:9-10 ) kindred's sake; apply to those who are at hand, and will help in need. But there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother, and let us place entire confidence in him. Verse 11 . An affectionate parent urges his son to prudent conduct that should gladden his heart. The good conduct of Christians is the best answer to all who find fault with the gospel. Verse 12 . Where there is temptation, if we thrust ourselves into it, there will be sin, and punishment will follow. Verse 13 . An honest man may be made a beggar, but he is not honest that makes himself one. Verse 14 . It is folly to be fond of being praised; it is a temptation to pride. ( proverbs 27:15-16 ) shower, troublesome for a time; the contentions of a wife are like constant rain. Verse 17 . We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better. Verse 18 . Though a calling be laborious and despised, yet those who keep to it, will find there is something to be got by it. God is a Master who has engaged to honour those who serve him faithfully. Verse 19 . One corrupt heart is like another; so are sanctified hearts: the former bear the same image of the earthly, the latter the same image of the heavenly. Let us carefully watch our own hearts, comparing them with the word of God. Verse 20 . Two things are here said to be never satisfied, death and sin. The appetites of the carnal mind for profit or pleasure are always desiring more. Those whose eyes are ever toward the Lord, are satisfied in him, and shall for ever be so. Verse 21 . Silver and gold are tried by putting them into the furnace and fining-pot; so is a man tried by praising him. Verse 22 . Some are so bad, that even severe methods do not answer the end; what remains but that they should be rejected? The new-creating power of God's grace alone is able to make a change. ( 23-27 ) . We ought to have some business to do in this world, and not to live in idleness, and not to meddle with what we do not understand. We must be diligent and take pains. Let us do what we can, still the world cannot be secured to us, therefore we must choose a more lasting portion; but by the blessing of God upon our honest labours, we may expect to enjoy as much of earthly blessings as is good for us.

Cross References

• 1. (James 4:13–17)

Footnotes

• [a]. Or a wayward woman
• [b]. Hebrew sharpens the face of another or sharpens the countenance of a friend
• [c]. Or Death and Destruction

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 14

This chapter relates the sickness of Jeroboam's son, the application of his wife, at his instance, to the prophet Ahijah, in the child's favour, 1Ki 14:1-6, the prophecy of the prophet concerning the ruin of Jeroboam's house, and the death of the child, which came to pass, 1Ki 14:7-18, an account of the years of Jeroboam's reign, and also of Rehoboam's, 1Ki 14:19-21, and of the evil things done and suffered by the latter in his kingdom, and the calamities that came upon him for it, 1Ki 14:22-28 and the conclusion of his reign, 1Ki 14:29-31.