1 Boast not yourself of tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another mouth praise you, not yours —
the lips of some other, not yours.
3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
but heavier than both the vexation caused by fools.
4 Indignation is fierce, anger pours like a flood;
but who can stand before jealousy?
5 Better an open reproof
than affection that is concealed.
6 The wounds of a friend are sincere,
but profuse are the kisses of a foe.
7 Honey is scorned by a man that is full,
but anything bitter is sweet to the hungry.
8 Like a bird that strays from its nest
is a man that wanders from home.
9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart,
but sorrow of spirit does rend it asunder.
10 Your friend and your father's friend forsake not;
and in your day of distress
do not enter the house of your brother,
near neighbour is better than distant brother.
11 Be wise, my son, and gladden my heart.
that so I may answer the man who would taunt me.
12 The prudent scent mischief and hide;
the simple go on and are punished.
13 Take the garment of him who goes bail for another,
and hold it in pledge for that other.
14 If early in the morning
one loudly blesses another,
it is reckoned to him as a curse.
15 An endless drip on a rainy day
and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
16 he hides the wind that would hide her,
and his hand grasps at oil.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so a man sharpens his friend.
18 He that tends a fig-tree will eat its fruit;
so one who attends to his lord will get honour.
19 As face answers to face
so the mind of one man to another.
20 Abaddon and Sheol are ever unsated.
and ever unsated the eyes of men.
21 As the smelter for silver, the furnace for gold,
so repute is the test of a man.
22 Though you bray a fool with a pestle
along with bruised grain in a mortar.
you will not get him rid of his folly.
23 Look well to the state of your flock,
and give your mind to your herds;
24 For wealth lasts not forever,
nor riches through all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and the new growth appears,
and the grass of the uplands is all gathered in,
26 Then the lambs will supply you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field;
27 goats' milk enough there will be for your food,
and a livelihood for your slave-girls.