Don't boast about tomorrow

1Don't boast about tomorrow!27.1: Jas 4.13-16.

Each day brings

its own surprises.

2Don't boast about yourself—

let others praise you.

3Stones and sand are heavy,

but trouble caused by a fool

is a much heavier load.

4An angry person is dangerous,

but a jealous person

is even worse.

5A truly good friend

will openly correct you.

6You can trust a friend

who corrects you,

but kisses from an enemy

are nothing but lies.

7If you have had enough to eat,

honey doesn't taste good,

but if you are really hungry,

you will eat anything.

8When you are far from home,

you feel like a bird

without a nest.

9The sweet smell of incense

can make you feel good,

but true friendship

is better still.27.9 still: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 9.

10Don't desert an old friend

of your family

or visit your relatives

when you are in trouble.

A friend nearby is better

than relatives far away.

11My child, show good sense!

Then I will be happy

and able to answer anyone

who criticizes me.

12Be cautious and hide

when you see danger—

don't be stupid and walk

right into trouble.

13Don't loan money to a stranger

unless you are given something

to guarantee payment.

14A loud greeting

early in the morning

is the same as a curse.

15The steady dripping of rain

and the nagging of a wife

are one and the same.

16It's easier to catch the wind

or hold olive oil in your hand

than to stop a nagging wife.

17Just as iron sharpens iron,

friends sharpen the minds

of each other.

18Take care of a tree,

and you will eat its fruit;

look after your master,

and you will be praised.

19You see your face in a mirror

and your thoughts

in the minds of others.

20Death and the grave

are never satisfied,

and neither are we.

21Gold and silver are tested

in a red-hot furnace,

but we are tested by praise.

22No matter how hard

you beat a fool,

you can't pound out

the foolishness.

23You should take good care

of your sheep and goats,

24because wealth and honour

don't last for ever.

25After the hay is cut

and the new growth appears

and the harvest is over,

26you can sell lambs and goats

to buy clothes and land.

27From the milk of the goats,

you can make enough cheese

to feed your family

and all your servants.