[1] Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring
forth. [2] Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and
not your own lips. [3] A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's
provocation is heavier than both. [4] Wrath is cruel, anger is
overwhelming; but who can stand before jealousy? [5] Better is open rebuke
than hidden love. [6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the
kisses of an enemy. [7] He who is sated loathes honey, but to one who is
hungry everything bitter is sweet. [8] Like a bird that strays from its
nest, is a man who strays from his home. [9] Oil and perfume make the heart
glad, but the soul is torn by trouble. [10] Your friend, and your father's
friend, do not forsake; and do not go to your brother's house in the day of
your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far
away. [11] Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him
who reproaches me. [12] A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but
the simple go on, and suffer for it. [13] Take a man's garment when he has
given surety for a stranger, and hold him in pledge when he gives surety
for foreigners. [14] He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising
early in the morning, will be counted as cursing. [15] A continual dripping
on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; [16] to restrain her is
to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in his right hand. [17] Iron sharpens
iron, and one man sharpens another. [18] He who tends a fig tree will eat
its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored. [19] As in water
face answers to face, so the mind of man reflects the man. [20] Sheol and
Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man. [21]
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is
judged by his praise. [22] Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along
with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. [23] Know well
the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds; [24] for
riches do not last for ever; and does a crown endure to all generations?
[25] When the grass is gone, and the new growth appears, and the herbage of
the mountains is gathered, [26] the lambs will provide your clothing, and
the goats the price of a field; [27] there will be enough goats' milk for
your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your maidens.