1Do not brag about tomorrow, because you do not know what another day may bring.

2Praise should come from another person and not from your own mouth, from a stranger and not from your own lips.

3A stone is heavy, and sand weighs a lot, but annoyance caused by a stubborn fool is heavier than both.

4Anger is cruel, and fury is overwhelming, but who can survive jealousy?

5Open criticism is better than unexpressed love.

6Wounds made by a friend are intended to help, but an enemy's kisses are too much to bear.

7One who is full despises honey, but to one who is hungry, even bitter food tastes sweet.

8Like a bird wandering from its nest, so is a husband wandering from his home.

9Perfume and incense make the heart glad, but the sweetness of a friend is a fragrant forest.

10Do not abandon your friend or your father's friend. Do not go to a relative's home when you are in trouble. A neighbor living nearby is better than a relative far away.

11Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad so that I can answer anyone who criticizes me.

12Sensible people foresee trouble and hide. Gullible people go ahead [and] suffer.

13Hold on to the garment of one who guarantees a stranger's loan, and hold responsible the person who makes a loan in behalf of a foreigner.

14Whoever blesses his friend early in the morning with a loud voice- his blessing is considered a curse.

15Constantly dripping water on a rainy day is like a quarreling woman.

16Whoever can control her can control the wind. He can even pick up olive oil with his right hand.

17[As] iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens the wits of another.

18Whoever takes care of a fig tree can eat its fruit, and whoever protects his master is honored.

19As a face is reflected in water, so a person is reflected by his heart.

20Hell and decay are never satisfied, and a person's eyes are never satisfied.

21The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, but a person [is tested] by the praise given to him.

22If you crush a stubborn fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, [even then] his stupidity will not leave him.

23Be fully aware of the condition of your flock, and pay close attention to your herds.

24Wealth is not forever. Nor does a crown last from one generation to the next.

25[When] grass is cut short, the tender growth appears, and vegetables are gathered on the hills.

26Lambs [will provide] you with clothing, and the money from the male goats will buy a field.

27There will be enough goat milk to feed you, to feed your family, and to keep your servant girls alive.