Proverbs 27

1 Boast not of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what the next day shall bring forth.

2 Let thy neighbour, and not thine own mouth, praise thee; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

3 A stone is heavy, and sand cumbersome; but a fool's wrath is heavier than both.

4 Wrath is merciless, and anger sharp: but envy can bear nothing.

5 Open reproofs are better than secret love.

6 The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy.

7 A full soul scorns honeycombs; but to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet.

8 As when a bird flies down from its own nest, so a man is brought into bondage whenever he estranges himself from his own place.

9 The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes: but the soul is broken by calamities.

10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; and when thou art in distress go not into thy brother's house: better is a friend near than a brother living far off.

11 Son, be wise, that thy heart may rejoice; and remove thou from thyself reproachful words.

12 A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; but fools pass on, and will be punished.

13 Take away the man's garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another's goods.

14 Whosoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses .

15 On a stormy day drops drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman out of his own house.

16 The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious.

17 Iron sharpens iron; and a man sharpens his friend's countenance.

18 He that plants a fig-tree shall eat the fruits of it: so he that waits on his own master shall be honoured.

19 As faces are not like faces, so neither are the thoughts of men.

20 Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable.

21 Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and a man is tried by the mouth of them that praise him. The heart of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an upright heart seeks knowledge.

22 Though thou scourge a fool, disgracing him in the midst of the council, thou wilt in no wise remove his folly from him.

23 Do thou thoroughly know the number of thy flock, and pay attention to thine herds.

24 For a man not strength and power for ever; neither does he transmit it from generation to generation.

25 Take care of the herbage in the field, and thou shalt cut grass, and gather the mountain hay;

26 that thou mayest have sheep for clothing: pay attention to the land, that thou mayest have lambs.

27 son, thou hast from me words very useful for thy life, and for the life of thy servants.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb. omits to ver 21.

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.