Proverbs 27

1 Don't brag about tomorrow. You don't know what a day will bring.

2 Let another person praise you, and not your own mouth. Let someone else praise you, and not your own lips.

3 Stones are heavy. Sand weighs a lot. But letting a foolish person make you angry is a heavier load than both of them.

4 Anger is mean. Great anger overpowers you. But who can face jealousy?

5 Being warned openly is better than being loved in secret.

6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted. But an enemy kisses you many times.

7 When you are full, you even hate honey. When you are hungry, even what is bitter tastes sweet.

8 A man who wanders away from his home is like a bird that wanders from its nest.

9 Perfume and incense bring joy to your heart. And a friend is sweeter when he gives you honest advice.

10 Don't desert your friend or your father's friend. And don't go to your family when trouble strikes you. A neighbor nearby is better than a family member far away.

11 My child, be wise and bring joy to my heart. Then I can answer anyone who makes fun of me.

12 Wise people see danger and go to a safe place. But childish people keep on going and suffer for it.

13 Take the coat of one who puts up money for what a stranger owes. Hold it until you get paid back if he does it for a woman who commits adultery.

14 Suppose you loudly bless your neighbor early in the morning. Then you might as well be calling down a curse on him.

15 A nagging wife is like dripping that never stops on a rainy day.

16 Stopping her is like trying to stop the wind. It's like trying to grab oil with your hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

18 A person who takes good care of a fig tree will eat its fruit. And a person who looks after his master will be honored.

19 When you look into water, you see a likeness of your face. When you look into your heart, you see what you are really like.

20 Death and the Grave are never satisfied. A man's eyes are never satisfied either.

21 Fire tests silver. Heat tests gold. But a man is tested by the praise he receives.

22 You can grind a foolish person in a mill. You can grind him as you would grind grain with a tool. But you can't remove his foolishness from him.

23 Be sure you know how your flocks are doing. Pay careful attention to your herds.

24 Riches don't last forever. And a crown is not secure for all time to come.

25 The hay is removed, and new growth appears. The grass from the hills is gathered in.

26 Then your lambs will provide you with clothes. And the money from selling your goats will buy you a field.

27 You will have plenty of goats' milk. It will feed you and your family. It will also feed your female 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.

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.