Proverbs 27:17
15 A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
16 restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
19 As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
- KJV
- Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
- WEB
- Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
- ASV
- Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
- DARBY
- Iron is sharpened by iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
- BLB
- Iron is sharpened by iron, and a man sharpens the face of his friend.
- ÅB
- Jern skjerpes ved jern, og en mann slipes ved å omgås andre.
- OTB
- Akkurat som jern kvesser jern, slik kvesser en person en annen.
- B1930
- Jern skjerpes ved jern, og en mann slipes ved å omgås andre.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
Read in contextProverbs 27:9
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
Read in contextJob 4:3–4
Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.
Read in context1 Samuel 23:16
And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God,
Read in contextIsaiah 35:3–4
Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!
Read in context2 Timothy 2:3
Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Read in context1 Peter 4:12–13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Read in context2 Samuel 10:11–12
“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.
Read in context