17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

Other Translations of Proverbs 27:17-19

New International Version

17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.

19 As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.Or "so others reflect your heart back to you"

English Standard Version

17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.Hebrew sharpens the face of another

18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.

19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

The Message

17 You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.

18 If you care for your orchard, you'll enjoy its fruit; if you honor your boss, you'll be honored.

19 Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.

New King James Version

17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored.

19 As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man.

New Living Translation

17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer's interests will be rewarded.

19 As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 27:17-19

Commentary on Proverbs 27:17

(Read Proverbs 27:17)

We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better.

Commentary on Proverbs 27:18

(Read Proverbs 27:18)

Though a calling be laborious and despised, yet those who keep to it, will find there is something to be got by it. God is a Master who has engaged to honour those who serve him faithfully.

Commentary on Proverbs 27:19

(Read Proverbs 27:19)

One corrupt heart is like another; so are sanctified hearts: the former bear the same image of the earthly, the latter the same image of the heavenly. Let us carefully watch our own hearts, comparing them with the word of God.