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Do not Boast about Tomorrow

¹ Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

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 a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.⁴ Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?

⁵ Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.⁶ The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

⁷ The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.

⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.

⁹ Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

¹¹ Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.

¹² The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

¹³ Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a wayward woman^(a).

¹⁴ If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.

¹⁵ A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—¹⁶ restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another^(a).

¹⁸ Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

¹⁹ As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.

²⁰ Sheol and Abaddon^(a) are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

²¹ A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.

²² Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.

²³ Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;²⁴ for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.²⁵ When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered,²⁶ the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.²⁷ You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.