My Son, Be Wise
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
A stranger, and not your own lips.
But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.
But who is able to stand before jealousy?
Than love carefully concealed.
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Is a man who wanders from his place.
And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by [b]hearty counsel.
Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
That I may answer him who reproaches me.
The simple pass on and are punished.
And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress.
It will be counted a curse to him.
And a contentious woman are alike;
16 Whoever [c]restrains her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
So he who waits on his master will be honored.
So a man’s heart reveals the man.
So the eyes of man are never satisfied.
And a man is valued by what others say of him.
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
And attend to your herds;
24 For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
25 When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
26 The lambs will provide your clothing,
And the goats the price of a field;
27 You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And the nourishment of your maidservants.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 27:7 tramples on
- Proverbs 27:9 Lit. counsel of the soul
- Proverbs 27:16 Lit. hides
- Proverbs 27:18 protects or tends
- Proverbs 27:20 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 27:20 Heb. Abaddon