1 For you do not know what a day may bring forth. | |
2 Do not boast about tomorrow, | |
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips. | |
3 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,
But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them. | |
4 Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,
But who can stand before jealousy? | |
5 Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed. | |
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
Buta Or excessivedeceitful are the kisses of an enemy. | |
7 A satedb Lit soulmanc Lit tramples onloathes honey,
But to a famishedd Lit soulman any bitter thing is sweet. | |
8 Like a bird that wanders from her nest,
So is a man who wanders from hise Lit placehome. | |
9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
So af Lit soul’sman’s counsel is sweet to his friend. | |
10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away. | |
11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches me. | |
12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself,
Theg Lit simplenaive proceed and pay the penalty. | |
13 Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for anh Lit strangeadulterous woman hold him in pledge. | |
14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be reckoned a curse to him. | |
15 A constant dripping on a day of steady rain
And a contentious woman are alike; | |
16 He who wouldi Lit hide(s)restrain herj Lit hide(s)restrains the wind,
Andk Lit encountersgrasps oil with his right hand. | |
17 Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another. | |
18 He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who cares for his master will be honored. | |
19 As in water face reflects face,
So the heart of man reflects man. | |
20 l I.e. The nether worldSheol andm I.e. the place of destructionAbaddon are never satisfied,
Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied. | |
21 The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each is tested by the praise accorded him. | |
22 Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him. | |
23 Know well then Lit facecondition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds; | |
24 For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations. | |
25 When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, | |
26 The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field, | |
27 And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your maidens. | |
