wisdom library
Proverbs 27 — NIV
Friends Who Sharpen and Speak Truth
Chapter 27 celebrates the value of honest friendship and wise foresight, contrasting the wounds of a friend with the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 27:1“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
Proverbs 27:2“2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”
Proverbs 27:3“3 Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.”
Proverbs 27:4“4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”
Proverbs 27:5“5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.”
Proverbs 27:6“6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Proverbs 27:7“7 One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.”
Proverbs 27:8“8 Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home.”
Proverbs 27:9“9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”
Proverbs 27:10“10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.”
Proverbs 27:11“11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.”
Proverbs 27:12“12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”
Proverbs 27:13“13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.”
Proverbs 27:14“14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.”
Proverbs 27:15“15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;”
Proverbs 27:16“16 restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.”
Proverbs 27:17“17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:18“18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.”
Proverbs 27:19“19 As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.[a]”
Proverbs 27:20“20 Death and Destruction[b] are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.”
Proverbs 27:21“21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.”
Proverbs 27:22“22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.”
Proverbs 27:23“23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;”
Proverbs 27:24“24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.”
Proverbs 27:25“25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,”
Proverbs 27:26“26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.”
Proverbs 27:27“27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.”
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.