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Proverbs 27

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1Don't boast about tomorrow; for you don't know what a day may bring forth.

2Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

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

4Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?

5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

7A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.

8As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.

9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man's friend.

10Don't forsake your friend and your father's friend. Don't go to your brother's house in the day of your disaster: better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother.

11Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.

12A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

13Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!

14He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.

15A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:

16restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.

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

18Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.

19As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man's eyes are never satisfied.

21The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.

22Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.

23Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds:

24for riches are not forever, nor does even the crown endure to all generations.

25The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.

26The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.

27There will be plenty of goats' milk for your food, for your family's food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.

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Proverbs 27:1 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.

Proverbs 27:2 Verse 2

There may be occasion for us to justify ourselves, but not to praise ourselves.

Proverbs 27:3-4 Verses 3, 4

Those who have no command of their passions, sink under the load.

Proverbs 27:5-6 Verses 5, 6

Plain and faithful rebukes are better, not only than secret hatred, but than love which compliments in sin, to the hurt of the soul.

Proverbs 27:7 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.

Proverbs 27:8 Verse 8

Every man has his proper place in society, where he may be safe and comfortable.

Proverbs 27:9-10 Verses 9, 10

Depend not for relief upon a kinsman, merely for 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.

Proverbs 27:11 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.

Proverbs 27:12 Verse 12

Where there is temptation, if we thrust ourselves into it, there will be sin, and punishment will follow.

Proverbs 27:13 Verse 13

An honest man may be made a beggar, but he is not honest that makes himself one.

Proverbs 27:14 Verse 14

It is folly to be fond of being praised; it is a temptation to pride.

Proverbs 27:15-16 Verses 15, 16

The contentions of a neighbour may be like a sharp shower, troublesome for a time; the contentions of a wife are like constant rain.

Proverbs 27:17 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.

Proverbs 27:18 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.

Proverbs 27:19 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.

Proverbs 27:20 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.

Proverbs 27:21 Verse 21

Silver and gold are tried by putting them into the furnace and fining-pot; so is a man tried by praising him.

Proverbs 27:22 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.

Proverbs 27:23-27 Verses 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.

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Absentee Fathers Proverbs 27:8

Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.

Accountability Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Agriculture or Farming: Requires: Diligence Proverbs 27:23–27

Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; / for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. / When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered,

Agriculture: Laws Concerning Proverbs 27:23–27

Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; / for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. / When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered,

Agriculture: Requires Diligence Proverbs 27:23, 27

Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; / You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.

Alchemy Proverbs 27:21

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.

Anger: Connected With: Cruelty Proverbs 27:3, 4

A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both. / Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?

Anger: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 27:3, 4

A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both. / Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?

Animal Cruelty Proverbs 27:23

Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;

Annoying People Proverbs 27:3

A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.

Anointing of the Body Proverbs 27:9, 16

Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul. / restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.

Athlete Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Being a Man Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Being Naive Proverbs 27:12

The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Biblical Confrontation Proverbs 27:6, 7

The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. / The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.

Bragging Proverbs 27:1

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Bray: To Pound Proverbs 27:22

Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.

Brother: Unfaithful Proverbs 27:10

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.

Budgeting Proverbs 27:23

Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;

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