Proverbs 27

Twenty-seven verses in chapter twenty-seven

to be read on the twenty-seventh of the second month, 2007. Not bad!

There is no way in the WORLD a person can get bored reading this chapter!

I’ll touch my favorite few again this morning –

First, let’s ask if we can move verse 14 to chapter 1 verse 1, shall we?

I think it’s a VERY appropriate proverb, particularly if you’re a natural night-owl like me:

He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,

It will be reckoned a curse to him.

If you’re fixin’ to die young, just greet people in a loud ‘n obnoxious tone first thing in the morning. I love this proverb. Bernie, a good friend of mine, kind of thinks this might be his favorite verse of all. I’d like to see it as Proverbs 1.1 (I know – it’ll never happen).

__________

A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,

But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.

If you’re in the company of one of these and a friend warns you it’s time to just leave, listen up. A fool provoked is nothing you want to stick around for.

__________

As in water face reflects face,

So the heart of man reflects man.

So true! The New Living Translation reads: As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person. It isn’t until you get to know a person’s heart that you really see their true likeness refected back to you.

Those are my highlights, but there’s so much more here: Read it (slowly) for yourself and carry away something for today. It’s free.

[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 the sand weighty,
But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.

[4] Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,
But who can stand before jealousy?

[5] Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.

[6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

[7] A sated man loathes honey,
But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.

[8] Like a bird that wanders from her nest,
So is a man who wanders from his home.

[9] Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.

[10] Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,
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 far away.

[11] Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches me.

[12] A prudent man sees evil and hides himself,
The naive proceed and pay the penalty.

[13] Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for an adulterous woman hold him in pledge.

[14] He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be reckoned a curse to him.

[15] A constant dripping on a day of steady rain
And a contentious woman are alike;

[16] He who would restrain her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.

[17] Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another.

[18] He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who cares for his master will be honored.

[19] As in water face reflects face,
So the heart of man reflects man.

[20] Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.

[21] The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each is tested by the praise accorded him.

[22] Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

[23] Know well the condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;
[24] For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
[25] When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
[26] The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field,
[27] And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your maidens.

Proverbs 27:1-27