Wisdom at Dawn · Day 27
Proverbs 27 — Let a faithful friend sharpen you
About 4 min read
Proverbs 27:1–6, 9–10, 17, 23–27
Proverbs 27
1Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.
2Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
3A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
7A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
8As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.
9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
10Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother.
11Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
12A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
13Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
14He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.
15A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
16restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
17Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
18Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.
19Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
21The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
22Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
23Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds,
24for riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations.
25The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
26The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.
27There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.
Scripture source: World English Bible, Protestant Edition (WEBP) — eBible.org. Public domain. Rights
Reflection
Original reflection by Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry
Proverbs 27 joins honest friendship with attentive stewardship. A faithful friend may speak an uncomfortable truth; a responsible shepherd pays attention to the condition of the flock. Both forms of care require close observation rather than flattering assumptions.
The image of sharpening does not make harshness a virtue. Useful correction seeks another person's good. It differs from the criticism that enjoys superiority or the loyalty that hides serious harm to keep the peace.
Who knows you well enough to challenge you? Who has permission to ask whether your habits match your calling? Invite that kind of conversation, and bring the same care to the people and responsibilities already entrusted to you. Grand plans for tomorrow cannot replace attention today. Often the next step in growth is to welcome a truth that a trusted friend has been hesitant to say.
Today's practice
Ask a trusted person, 'Where do you see a blind spot in me?' Listen without preparing a rebuttal.
Prayer
Lord, surround me with honest love and make me willing to receive it. Help me care attentively for the people and work you have entrusted to me. In Jesus' name, amen.
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Reflection, practice and prayer are original writing by Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry.