Read & explore together
Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
Proverbs 27 is a collection of wisdom sayings, not one continuous story. The chapter moves through speech, friendship, caution, character and provision, using brief comparisons to show how wise living can be recognised.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage begins with warnings about tomorrow, self-praise and strong emotions. It then speaks about rebuke, friendship, hunger, home and counsel. Later sayings turn to prudence, troublesome behaviour, influence, the heart, unsatisfied desire, testing by praise and careful attention to ongoing provision.
Proverbs 27:1–27Main takeaway
Proverbs 27 teaches that wisdom appears in humble speech, honest friendship, prudent action and steady care for what has been entrusted to you.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Do not boast or praise yourselfThe chapter opens by warning against boasting about tomorrow, because no one knows what a day may bring.
Explanation
The chapter opens by warning against boasting about tomorrow, because no one knows what a day may bring. It also says praise should come from another person, not from your own mouth. Then it describes a fool’s provocation as a heavy burden, and says jealousy is harder to stand against than wrath or anger.
02Faithful friendship may be painful but goodOpen rebuke is said to be better than hidden love, and a friend’s wounds are called faithful, unlike an enemy’s many kisses.
Explanation
Open rebuke is said to be better than hidden love, and a friend’s wounds are called faithful, unlike an enemy’s many kisses. The sayings then note that desire affects judgment: a full person rejects sweetness, while a hungry person finds even bitter things sweet. Wandering from home is pictured as a bird leaving her nest.
03Counsel, nearness and sensible cautionEarnest counsel from a friend brings joy to the heart, and a nearby neighbour may be better in disaster than a distant brother.
Explanation
Earnest counsel from a friend brings joy to the heart, and a nearby neighbour may be better in disaster than a distant brother. Wisdom gives joy, and prudence takes refuge when danger is seen. The next sayings warn about risky collateral and show that even a blessing can be badly timed if it is loud and early.
04Influence and character are revealedThe passage compares a continual dripping on a rainy day with a contentious wife, and says restraining her is like restraining wind or grasping oil.
Explanation
The passage compares a continual dripping on a rainy day with a contentious wife, and says restraining her is like restraining wind or grasping oil. It then says iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another. Tending a fig tree brings fruit, serving a master brings honour, and the heart reflects the person.
05Desire, testing and careful provisionHuman eyes are never satisfied, just as Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied. A person is tested by praise, while a fool’s foolishness remains even under severe grinding.
Explanation
Human eyes are never satisfied, just as Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied. A person is tested by praise, while a fool’s foolishness remains even under severe grinding. The final sayings urge careful attention to flocks and herds, because riches do not last. Seasonal growth, clothing and milk all show the value of patient oversight.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does the chapter tell people not to boast about tomorrow or praise themselves?
The text gives two reasons: you do not know what a day may bring, and praise should come from another person rather than your own lips.
02What pictures does this chapter use to describe true friendship?
Notice the sayings about open rebuke, faithful wounds, earnest counsel and iron sharpening iron.
03How do the last verses connect careful work with provision?
Follow the movement from watching flocks and herds, to riches not lasting, to hay, new growth, gathered grasses, clothing and food.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 27:1–27
1Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.
2Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
3A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
7A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
8As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.
9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
10Don’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.
11Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
12A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
13Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
14He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.
15A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
16restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
17Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
18Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.
19Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
21The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
22Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
23Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds,
24for riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations.
25The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
26The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.
27There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.