DO NOT BOAST ABOUT TOMORROW
Key verse: 1
NIV
2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
an outsider, and not your own lips.(C)
3 Stone is heavy and sand(D) a burden,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?(E)
5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.(F)
7 One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
8 Like a bird that flees its nest(G)
is anyone who flees from home.
9 Perfume(H) and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfelt advice.
10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster(I) strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
(A)for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Let (B)another praise you, and not your own mouth;
a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but (C)a fool's provocation is heavier than both.
4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
but who can stand before (D)jealousy?
5 (E)Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Faithful are (F)the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
7 One who is full loathes (G)honey,
but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
8 Like (H)a bird that strays from its nest
is a man who strays from his home.
9 (I)Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.[a]
10 Do not forsake your friend and (J)your father's friend,
and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity.
(K)Better is a neighbor who is near
than a brother who is far away.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel
Cross references
- Proverbs 27:1 : Luke 12:19, 20; James 4:13, 14
- Proverbs 27:2 : 2 Cor. 10:12, 18; [ch. 25:27; 2 Cor. 12:11]
- Proverbs 27:3 : [ch. 12:16; 17:12]
- Proverbs 27:4 : ch. 6:34
- Proverbs 27:5 : [ch. 28:23]
- Proverbs 27:6 : Ps. 141:5
- Proverbs 27:7 : [ch. 25:16]
- Proverbs 27:8 : ch. 26:2
- Proverbs 27:9 : [Ps. 23:5]
- Proverbs 27:10 : See 1 Kgs. 12:6-8; 2 Chr. 10:6-8
- Proverbs 27:10 : See ch. 17:17
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
Verse one reminds us that we have no control over what tomorrow will be. Life is so fragile. We need to overcome the strong desire to boast about our lives and what we will do. Rather, we must live each day humbly, trusting God’s will for tomorrow.
Whenever we start thinking very highly of ourselves, we become blinded by pride and think we are superior. Instead of praising ourselves, let someone else praise us. We might be surprised by their unexpected and heartfelt praises. Also, if we boast, we may provoke others to wrath and jealousy and will suffer needlessly.
There are many verses here about friends that teach us about faithfulness, kindness, and honesty. Friends will tell us what we really need to hear, but an enemy will pretend to love us while all along hoping for our fall. A faithful friend is better than a brother who is far away from us. We should value our friends, as well as family friends, who will care and support us in our times of need and trouble.
Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who gave up his glory and became a Faithful Friend to me. Help me to be a humble, kind, and faithful friend.
One Word: Don’t boast; make friends in Jesus
