21 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;
Proverbs 27:21–23
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 2:4–6
4 Accept whatever is brought upon you, and be patient when you suffer humiliation. (WEB) 5 For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. (WEB) 6 Put your trust in him, and he will help you. Make your ways straight, and set your hope on him. (WEB)
Proverbs 23:8–10
8 You will vomit up what little you have eaten and waste your pleasant words. 9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
Psalms 49:19–20
19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day. 20 A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Proverbs 26:3–5
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 17:2–4
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers. 3 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts. 4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.
Sirach 27:4–6
4 In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remains, so does the filth of man in his thoughts. (WEB) 5 The furnace tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a person is in his thoughts. (WEB) 6 The fruit of a tree discloses its cultivation, so is the utterance of the thought of a p… (WEB)
Sirach 8:16–18
16 Don’t fight with a wrathful man. Don’t travel with him through the desert, for blood is as nothing in his sight. Where there is no help, he will overthrow you. (WEB) 17 Don’t consult with a fool, for he will not be able to keep a secret. (WEB) 18 Do no secret thing before a stra… (WEB)
Proverbs 14:23–25
23 There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. 24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. 25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources