Amplified Bible

Proverbs 27:4-18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

4. Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood, but who is able to stand before jealousy?

5. Open rebuke is better than love that is hidden. [Prov. 28:23; Gal. 2:14.]

6. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful.

7. He who is satiated [with sensual pleasures] loathes and treads underfoot a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8. Like a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who strays from his home.

9. Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart.

10. Your own friend and your father's friend, forsake them not; neither go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near [in spirit] than a brother who is far off [in heart].

11. My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me [as having failed in my parental duty]. [Prov. 10:1; 23:15, 24.]

12. A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering].

13. [The judge tells the creditor] Take the garment of one who is security for a stranger; and hold him in pledge when he is security for foreigners. [Prov. 20:16.]

14. The flatterer who loudly praises and glorifies his neighbor, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted as cursing him [for he will be suspected of sinister purposes].

15. A continual dripping on a day of violent showers and a contentious woman are alike; [Prov. 19:13.]

16. Whoever attempts to restrain [a contentious woman] might as well try to stop the wind–his right hand encounters oil [and she slips through his fingers].

17. Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].

18. Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so he who patiently and faithfully guards and heeds his master shall be honored. [I Cor. 9:7, 13.]