New King James Version

Proverbs 27:3-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

3. A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.

4. Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,But who is able to stand before jealousy?

5. Open rebuke is betterThan love carefully concealed.

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

7. A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb,But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8. Like a bird that wanders from its nestIs a man who wanders from his place.

9. Ointment and perfume delight the heart,And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.

10. Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

11. My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,That I may answer him who reproaches me.

12. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself;The simple pass on and are punished.

13. Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger,And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress.

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

15. A continual dripping on a very rainy dayAnd a contentious woman are alike;

16. Whoever restrains her restrains the wind,And grasps oil with his right hand.

17. As iron sharpens iron,So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

18. Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit;So he who waits on his master will be honored.

19. As in water face reflects face,So a man’s heart reveals the man.

20. Hell and Destruction are never full;So the eyes of man are never satisfied.