What does the chapter actually say?
Identify the explicit claims before importing later doctrine or assumptions.
PROVERBS • CHAPTER 27
Proverbs 27
Practical wisdom, speech, work, money, sexuality, family, justice, self-control, leadership, and fear of Yahweh.
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Proverbs 27
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1
Don’t boast about tomorrow;
for you don’t know what a day may bring.
for you don’t know what a day may bring.
2
Let another man praise you,
and not your own mouth;
a stranger, and not your own lips.
and not your own mouth;
a stranger, and not your own lips.
3
A stone is heavy,
and sand is a burden;
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
and sand is a burden;
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4
Wrath is cruel,
and anger is overwhelming;
but who is able to stand before jealousy?
and anger is overwhelming;
but who is able to stand before jealousy?
5
Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
than hidden love.
6
The wounds of a friend are faithful,
although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
7
A full soul loathes a honeycomb;
but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
8
As a bird that wanders from her nest,
so is a man who wanders from his home.
so is a man who wanders from his home.
9
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart;
so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
10
Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend.
Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.
A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother.
Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.
A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother.
11
Be wise, my son,
and bring joy to my heart,
then I can answer my tormentor.
and bring joy to my heart,
then I can answer my tormentor.
12
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge;
but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
13
Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger.
Hold it for a wayward woman!
Hold it for a wayward woman!
14
He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse by him.
it will be taken as a curse by him.
15
A continual dropping on a rainy day
and a contentious wife are alike:
and a contentious wife are alike:
16
restraining her is like restraining the wind,
or like grasping oil in his right hand.
or like grasping oil in his right hand.
17
Iron sharpens iron;
so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
18
Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit.
He who looks after his master shall be honored.
He who looks after his master shall be honored.
19
Like water reflects a face,
so a man’s heart reflects the man.
so a man’s heart reflects the man.
20
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied;
and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
21
The crucible is for silver,
and the furnace for gold;
but man is refined by his praise.
and the furnace for gold;
but man is refined by his praise.
22
Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
23
Know well the state of your flocks,
and pay attention to your herds:
and pay attention to your herds:
24
for riches are not forever,
nor does the crown endure to all generations.
nor does the crown endure to all generations.
25
The hay is removed, and the new growth appears,
the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
26
The lambs are for your clothing,
and the goats are the price of a field.
and the goats are the price of a field.
27
There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food,
for your family’s food,
and for the nourishment of your servant girls.
for your family’s food,
and for the nourishment of your servant girls.
WISDOM
Where this chapter fits
Proverbs belongs to Israel's wisdom/poetic tradition, where literary form matters as much as historical setting.
Chapter numbers were added long after the biblical books were written.
Read this chapter together with what comes immediately before and after it.
ANCIENT TEXT, MODERN QUESTIONS
Historical claims should be compared with historical evidence.
Scientific claims should be compared with science.
Moral claims should be examined morally.
Theological claims require theological and philosophical argument.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Don't skip the hard parts.
What kind of literature is this?
Narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, letters, wisdom, and apocalypse communicate differently.
What historical evidence matters?
Ask whether names, places, institutions, events, customs, and chronology can be independently investigated.
What are the strongest competing interpretations?
Compare serious Jewish, Christian, academic, and skeptical readings rather than caricatures.
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