Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
(James 4:13–17)
Do not boast about tomorrow, Jas 4:13-16Luk 12:19-202Co 6:21Sa 28:19Isa 56:12Psa 95:7
for you do not know what a day may bring.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— 2Co 10:18Pro 25:272Co 10:122Co 12:11
a stranger, and not your own lips.
A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, Dan 3:191Jn 3:121Sa 22:18-19Gen 49:7Pro 17:12Est 3:5-6Gen 34:25-26
but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, Pro 6:34Pro 14:30Jas 3:14-16Job 5:21Jn 3:12Act 7:9Mat 27:18Act 17:5
but who can withstand jealousy?
Better an open rebuke Pro 28:231Ti 5:20Gal 2:14Mat 18:15Lev 19:17
than love that is concealed.
The wounds of a friend are faithful, Psa 141:5Rev 3:19Job 5:17-18Pro 26:23-262Sa 12:7-15Heb 12:102Sa 20:9-10Pro 10:18
but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
The soul that is full loathes honey, Luk 15:16-17Num 11:18-20Num 21:5Num 11:4-9Jhn 6:9Job 6:7
but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
Like a bird that strays from its nest Pro 21:161Co 7:20Isa 16:2Jon 1:10-17Jon 1:3Gen 16:6-81Ki 19:91Sa 22:5
is a man who wanders from his home.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, Pro 16:23-24Pro 16:21Psa 23:5Pro 15:23Psa 104:152Co 2:15-16Sng 4:10Jhn 12:3
and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, Pro 18:24Pro 17:171Ki 12:6-8Luk 10:30-37Oba 1:12-14Pro 19:72Sa 19:24Job 6:21-23
and do not go to your brother’s house
in the day of your calamity;
better a neighbor nearby
than a brother far away.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, Pro 10:1Psa 119:42Pro 23:15-162Jn 1:4Pro 23:24-25Ecc 2:18-21Pro 15:20Pro 29:3
so that I can answer him who taunts me.
The prudent see danger and take cover; Pro 22:3Pro 18:10Heb 11:72Pe 3:10-142Pe 3:7Exo 9:20-21Heb 6:18Isa 26:20-21
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; Pro 20:16Pro 6:1-4Pro 22:26-27Exo 22:26
get collateral if it is for a foreigner. 1
If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, 2Sa 16:16-19Act 12:22-23Jer 28:2-41Ki 22:131Ki 22:62Sa 15:2-72Sa 17:7-13
it will be counted to him as a curse.
A constant dripping on a rainy day Pro 19:13Pro 21:9Pro 21:19Pro 25:24Job 14:19
and a contentious woman are alike—
restraining her is like holding back the wind Jhn 12:3
or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
As iron sharpens iron, Heb 10:24Pro 27:9Job 4:3-41Sa 23:16Isa 35:3-42Ti 2:31Pe 4:12-132Sa 10:11-12
so one man sharpens another. 2
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, 1Co 9:72Ti 2:6Sng 8:12Jhn 12:26Luk 12:371Co 3:8Luk 12:43-44Luk 19:17
and he who looks after his master will be honored.
As water reflects the face, Jas 1:22-25Psa 33:15Mrk 7:21Gen 6:5
so the heart reflects the true man.
Sheol and Abaddon 3are never satisfied; Ecc 1:81Jn 2:16Pro 30:15-16Ecc 6:7Hab 2:5Ecc 2:10-11Ecc 4:8Ecc 5:10-11
so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, Pro 17:3Zec 13:9Psa 66:101Pe 1:7Mal 3:31Pe 4:121Sa 18:15-161Sa 18:30
but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, Jer 5:3Pro 23:35Isa 1:5Rev 16:10-11Exo 12:30Exo 14:5Jer 44:15-162Ch 28:22-23
yet his folly will not depart from him.
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, 1Pe 5:2Jhn 21:15-17Gen 33:132Ch 26:10Ezk 34:31Pro 24:32Ezk 34:22-24Jhn 10:3
and pay close attention to your herds;
for riches are not forever, Pro 23:51Ti 6:17-18Zep 1:182Sa 7:16Isa 9:7Jas 1:10Psa 89:36
nor does a crown endure to every generation.
When hay is removed and new growth appears Pro 10:5Psa 104:14
and the grain from the hills is gathered,
the lambs will provide you with clothing, Job 31:20
and the goats with the price of a field.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you— Mat 6:33Pro 30:8-9
food for your household
and nourishment for your maidservants.