“Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.”

“A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,
But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.
Wrath is cruel and anger is a flood,
But who can stand before jealousy?”

“Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”

“A satisfied person rejects honey,
But to a hungry person any bitter thing is sweet.
Like a bird that wanders from its nest,
So is a person who wanders from his home.”

“Oil and incense bring joy to the heart,
And the sweetness of a friend comes from his advice.
Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house on the day of your disaster;”

“Better is a neighbor who is near
Than a brother far away.
Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to one who taunts me.”

“A prudent person sees evil and hides himself,
But the naive proceed and pay the penalty.
Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger;
And for a foreign woman, seize a pledge from him.”

“He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be considered a curse to him.
A constant dripping on a day of steady rain
And a contentious woman are alike.”

“One who restrains her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.
Iron sharpens iron,
So one person sharpens another.”

“One who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And one who cares for his master will be honored.
As in water face reflects face,
So the heart of a person reflects the person.”

“Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
Nor are the eyes of a person ever satisfied.
The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each is tested by the praise accorded him.”

“Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
His foolishness will not leave him.
Know well the condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;”

“For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
When the grass disappears and the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,”

“The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field,
And there will be goat’s milk enough for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your attendants.”

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Context and Meaning

Proverbs 27 focuses on relationships, humility, emotional honesty, diligence, and spiritual perception.
It gives us some of the Bible’s clearest teachings on true friendship — not flattery, not convenience, but faithful wounds, shared wisdom, and mutual sharpening.

The chapter also speaks to:

• Preparing wisely for the future
• Cultivating humility
• Watching over your emotional life
• Being faithful in your responsibilities
• Guarding against envy and self-boasting

It balances relational wisdom with practical stewardship.

Key Themes:

1. Humility Over Presumption: Don’t boast about tomorrow (v. 1–2).
2. The Weight of Foolishness: A fool’s provocation is crushing (v. 3).
3. True Friendship: Honest wounds are better than fake affection (v. 5–6).
4. Home and Belonging: Wandering from home leaves you exposed (v. 8).
5. Faithful Companionship: Sweet counsel refreshes the soul (v. 9–10).
6. Discernment: Avoid risky obligations (v. 13).
7. Relational Wisdom: Peace at home is priceless (v. 15–16).
8. Sharpening: Mutual edification strengthens both people (v. 17).
9. Leadership and Stewardship: Diligence brings honor (v. 18).
10. Self-Knowledge: The heart reflects the person (v. 19).
11. Insatiability of Desire: Human longing is never fully satisfied (v. 20).
12. Testing Through Praise: Praise reveals character (v. 21).
13. Diligence and Provision: Stewardship ensures future security (v. 23–27).

Reflection and Impact

Proverbs 27 teaches that wisdom is lived out daily — in your words, friendships, humility, work, and emotional posture.

• Don’t presume on tomorrow – (v. 1) echoes James 4:14–15: your life is a vapor; say “If the Lord wills.”
• True friends wound in love – (v. 6) parallels Galatians 6:1: restore one another gently.
• Iron sharpens iron – (v. 17) reflects Hebrews 10:24: stir one another to love and good deeds.
• Guard your heart – (v. 19) connects with Proverbs 4:23: from the heart flow the issues of life.
• Avoid envy and insatiable desires – (v. 20) aligns with Ecclesiastes 5:10: he who loves money will never be satisfied.
• Steward your responsibilities well – (v. 23–27) matches Luke 12:42: faithful stewards care for what’s entrusted to them.

Application

• Walk Humbly: Let God determine tomorrow; don’t boast.
• Value Honest Friends: Seek those who sharpen, not flatter.
• Cultivate Emotional Wisdom: Guard jealousy, impatience, and presumption.
• Build Strong Relationships: Stay loyal to friends; be nearby in crisis.
• Sharpen Others: Speak truth in love; receive truth with humility.
• Be Diligent: Know your “flocks” — your responsibilities — and manage them well.
• Monitor Your Heart: What your heart loves reveals who you truly are.

Closing Thought

Proverbs 27 reminds us that wisdom is relational and practical.
It’s found in honest friendships, humble hearts, diligent hands, and a spirit open to correction.
We rise not by self-promotion, but by faithful living and faithful relationships.

“Iron sharpens iron,
So one person sharpens another.”