Proverbs 27:21
19 As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
22 Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
23 Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
- KJV
- As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
- WEB
- The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
- ASV
- The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is [tried] by his praise.
- DARBY
- The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; so let a man be to the mouth that praiseth him.
- BLB
- A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, so is a man by the mouth of one who praises him.
- ÅB
- Digel er for sølv og ovn for gull, og en mann prøves etter det han roser.
- OTB
- Smeltedigelen er for sølv og ovnen for gull, men mennesker blir testet av den ros de mottar.
- B1930
- Digel er for sølv og ovn for gull, og en mann prøves efter det han roser.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 17:3
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
Read in contextZechariah 13:9
This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
Read in contextPsalms 66:10
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.
Read in contextMalachi 3:3
And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.
Read in context1 Peter 1:7
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Read in context2 Samuel 15:6–12
Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Read in context2 Samuel 14:25
Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.
Read in context1 Samuel 18:7–8
And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
Read in context