Proverbs 27:9
7 The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
10 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 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
- KJV
- Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
- WEB
- Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
- ASV
- Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man`s friend [that cometh] of hearty counsel.
- DARBY
- Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; and the sweetness of one's friend is [the fruit] of hearty counsel.
- BLB
- Oil and incense gladden the heart, and the sweetness of one’s friend is from the counsel of the soul.
- ÅB
- Olje og røkelse gleder hjertet, og likeså en venns ømhet og oppriktige råd.
- OTB
- Parfyme og olje gir glede til hjertet, og en venns sødme kommer fra deres oppriktige råd.
- B1930
- Olje og røkelse gleder hjertet, og likeså en venns ømhet og opriktige råd.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 16:23–24
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Read in contextProverbs 16:21
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
Read in contextPsalms 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Read in contextProverbs 15:23
A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
Read in contextPsalms 104:15
wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.
Read in context2 Corinthians 2:15–16
For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
Read in contextSong of Solomon 4:10
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.
Read in contextPsalms 45:7–8
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.
Read in context