Proverbs 27:1-13

Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring. [Luke 12:19, 20; James 4:13] Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. Stone is heavy and the sand weighty, But a fool’s [unreasonable] wrath is heavier and more burdensome than both of them. Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood, But who is able to endure and stand before [the sin of] jealousy? Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction] Than love that is hidden. [Prov 28:23; Gal 2:14] Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda]. He who is satisfied loathes honey, But to the hungry soul any bitter thing is sweet. Like a bird that wanders from her nest [with its comfort and safety], So is a man who wanders from his home. Oil and perfume make the heart glad; So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart. Do not abandon your own friend and your father’s friend, And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away. My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may reply to him who reproaches (reprimands, criticizes) me. [Prov 10:1; 23:15, 24] A prudent man sees evil and hides himself and avoids it, But the naive [who are easily misled] continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin]. [Prov 22:3] [The judge tells the creditor,] “Take the garment of one who is surety (guarantees a loan) for a stranger; And hold him in pledge when he is surety for an immoral woman [for it is unlikely the debt will be repaid].” [Prov 20:16]