1 D on’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.
2 L et another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4 W rath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
5 B etter is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 F aithful are the wounds of a friend; although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
7 A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
8 A s a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.
9 P erfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
10 D on’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.
11 B e wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
13 T ake his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
14 H e who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.
15 A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
16 r estraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
17 I ron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
18 W hoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.
19 L ike water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
20 S heol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
21 T he crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
22 T hough you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
23 K now well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds:
24 f or riches are not forever, nor does even the crown endure to all generations.
25 T he hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
26 T he lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.
27 T here will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.