Proverbs 27

Don’t boast about tomorrow,
for you don’t know what a day might bring.
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth —
a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and sand a burden,
but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
4 Fury is cruel, and anger a flood,
but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Better an open reprimand
than concealed love.
6 The wounds of a friend are trustworthy,
but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
7 A person who is full tramples on a honeycomb,
but to a hungry person, any bitter thing is sweet.
8 Anyone wandering from his home
is like a bird wandering from its nest.
9 Oil and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.
10 Don’t abandon your friend or your father’s friend,
and don’t go to your brother’s house
in your time of calamity;
better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and bring my heart joy,
so that I can answer anyone who taunts me.
12 A sensible person sees danger and takes cover;
the inexperienced keep going and are punished.
13 Take his garment,
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.
14 If one blesses his neighbor
with a loud voice early in the morning,
it will be counted as a curse to him.
15 An endless dripping on a rainy day
and a nagging wife are alike;
16 the one who controls her controls the wind
and grasps oil with his right hand.
17 Iron sharpens iron,
and one person sharpens another.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and whoever looks after his master will be honored.
19 As water reflects the face,
so the heart reflects the person.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
and people’s eyes are never satisfied.
21 As a crucible refines silver, and a smelter refines gold,
so a person should refine his praise.
22 Though you grind a fool
in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
you will not separate his foolishness from him.
23 Know well the condition of your flock,
and pay attention to your herds,
24 for wealth is not forever;
not even a crown lasts for all time.
25 When hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grain from the hills is gathered in,
26 lambs will provide your clothing,
and goats, the price of a field;
27 there will be enough goat’s milk for your food —
food for your household
and nourishment for your female servants.

Proverbs 28

The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.
3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who reject the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.
5 The evil do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6 Better the poor person who lives with integrity
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.
7 A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
8 Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.
9 Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law —
even his prayer is detestable.
10 The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will inherit what is good.
11 A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide.
13 The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.
14 Happy is the one who is always reverent,
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 A wicked ruler over a helpless people
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16 A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.
17 Someone burdened by bloodguilt
will be a fugitive until death.
Let no one help him.
18 The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong
will suddenly fall.
19 The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful person will have many blessings,
but one in a hurry to get rich
will not go unpunished.
21 It is not good to show partiality —
yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.
22 A greedy one is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.
23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor
than one who flatters with his tongue.
24 The one who robs his father or mother
and says, “That’s no sin,”
is a companion to a person who destroys.
25 A greedy person stirs up conflict,
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.
26 The one who trusts in himself is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27 The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away
will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.

Proverbs 29

One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly —
beyond recovery.
2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.
4 By justice a king brings stability to a land,
but a person who demands “contributions”
demolishes it.
5 A person who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil person is caught by sin,
but the righteous one sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous person knows the rights of the poor,
but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.
8 Mockers inflame a city,
but the wise turn away anger.
9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,
but the upright care about him.
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise person holds it in check.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 A king who judges the poor with fairness —
his throne will be established forever.
15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a youth left to himself
is a disgrace to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your child, and it will bring you peace of mind
and give you delight.
18 Without revelation people run wild,
but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.
19 A servant cannot be disciplined by words;
though he understands, he doesn’t respond.
20 Do you see someone who speaks too soon?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 A servant pampered from his youth
will become arrogant later on.
22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered one increases rebellion.
23 A person’s pride will humble him,
but a humble spirit will gain honor.
24 To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;
he hears the curse but will not testify.
25 The fear of mankind is a snare,
but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.
26 Many desire a ruler’s favor,
but a person receives justice from the Lord.
27 An unjust person is detestable to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright
is detestable to the wicked.

— Proverbs 27-29 (CSB)