Do Not Boast about Tomorrow (James 4:13–17)
1 Brenton Boast not of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what the next day shall bring forth. BSB BSB: Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Brenton Let thy neighbour, and not thine own mouth, praise thee; a stranger, and not thine own lips. BSB BSB: Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 Brenton A stone is heavy, and sand cumbersome; but a fool's wrath is heavier than both. BSB BSB: A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
4 Brenton Wrath is merciless, and anger sharp: but envy can bear nothing. BSB BSB: Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Brenton Open reproofs are better than secret love. BSB BSB: Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
6 Brenton The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy. BSB BSB: The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7 Brenton A full soul scorns honeycombs; but to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet. BSB BSB: The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
8 Brenton As when a bird flies down from its own nest, so a man is brought into bondage whenever he estranges himself from his own place. BSB BSB: Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
9 Brenton The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes: but the soul is broken by calamities. BSB BSB: Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul.
10 Brenton Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; and when thou art in distress go not into thy brother's house: better is a friend that is near than a brother living far off. BSB BSB: Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11 Brenton Son, be wise, that thy heart may rejoice; and remove thou from thyself reproachful words. BSB BSB: Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
12 Brenton A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; but fools pass on, and will be punished. BSB BSB: The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
13 Brenton Take away the man's garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another's goods. BSB BSB: Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
14 Brenton Whosoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses him . BSB BSB: If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.
15 Brenton On a stormy day drops of rain drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman drive a man out of his own house. BSB BSB: A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
16 Brenton The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious. BSB BSB: restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
17 Brenton Iron sharpens iron; and a man sharpens his friend's countenance. BSB BSB: As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
18 Brenton He that plants a fig-tree shall eat the fruits of it: so he that waits on his own master shall be honoured. BSB BSB: Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
19 Brenton As faces are not like other faces, so neither are the thoughts of men. BSB BSB: As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
20 Brenton Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable. BSB BSB: Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21 Brenton He that fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord; and the uninstructed do not restrain their tongue. Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and a man is tried by the mouth of them that praise him.BSB BSB: A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
22 Brenton The heart of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an upright heart seeks knowledge. Though thou scourge a fool, disgracing him in the midst of the council, thou wilt still in no wise remove his folly from him. BSB BSB: Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
23 Brenton Do thou thoroughly know the number of thy flock, and pay attention to thine herds. BSB BSB: Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
24 Brenton For a man has not strength and power for ever; neither does he transmit it from generation to generation. BSB BSB: for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
25 Brenton Take care of the herbage in the field, and thou shalt cut grass, and gather the mountain hay; BSB BSB: When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered,
26 Brenton that thou mayest have wool of sheep for clothing: pay attention to the land, that thou mayest have lambs. BSB BSB: the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
27 Brenton My son, thou hast from me words very useful for thy life, and for the life of thy servants.BSB BSB: You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.