Proverbs 27: Peer Accountability and the Reality of Tomorrow

Proverbs 27 documents the vital role of peer accountability, stating that as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. It warns against boasting about tomorrow and highlights that the 'wounds' of a true friend are better than the deceptive flattery of an enemy.

  1. v1-2: Boasting and the Praise of Others
  2. v5-6: The Value of Open Rebuke and Faithful Wounds
  3. v17: The Iron Sharpens Iron Principle
  4. v23-27: The Stewardship of the Flock and Field

Proverbs chapter 27

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
Open rebuke is better than secret love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Embrace the friction of healthy relationships and the discipline of stewardship to ensure long-term stability. Begin your study with proverbs 27 summary.

Explore the agricultural metaphor at the end of the chapter, where Solomon reminds us that 'riches are not forever,' urging a return to basic, sustainable stewardship. The 'Word Secret' is Bachar, used in the context of sharpening, implying that growth requires heat, pressure, and contact with another. Discover the riches with proverbs 27 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden proverbs 27 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

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3 min read (460 words)