Chapter 27

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

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  Let another man praise you, And not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.  

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  A stone is heavy, And sand is a burden; But a fool's provocation is heavier than both.  

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  Wrath is cruel, And anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?  

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  Better is open rebuke Than hidden love.  

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

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

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

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

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  Don'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.  

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  Be wise, my son, And bring joy to my heart, Then I can answer my tormentor.  

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  A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it:  

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

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

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

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  Restraining her is like restraining the wind, Or like grasping oil in his right hand.  

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

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

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

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

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  The crucible is for silver, And the furnace for gold; But man is refined by his praise.  

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

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

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  For riches are not forever, Nor does even the crown endure to all generations.  

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

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

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  There 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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