16 He who would [a]restrain her [b]restrains the wind,
And [c]grasps oil with his right hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
So one person sharpens another.
18 One who tends the (A)fig tree will eat its fruit,
And one who (B)cares for his master will be honored.
19 As in water a face reflects the face,
So the heart of a person reflects the person.
20 [d](C)Sheol and [e]Abaddon are (D)never satisfied,
Nor are the (E)eyes of a person ever satisfied.
21 The (F)crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each (G)is tested by the praise accorded him.
22 Though you (H)pound the fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
His foolishness still will not leave him.

23 (I)Know well the [f]condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;
24 For riches are not forever,
Nor does a (J)crown endure to all generations.
25 When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are (K)gathered in,
26 The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field,
27 And there will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your attendants.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:16 Lit hide(s)
  2. Proverbs 27:16 Lit hide(s)
  3. Proverbs 27:16 Lit encounters
  4. Proverbs 27:20 I.e., The netherworld
  5. Proverbs 27:20 I.e., the place of destruction
  6. Proverbs 27:23 Lit face

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