Proverbs 27:21-23

New King James Version

²¹^(A)The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And a man is valued by what others say of him.

²²^(B)Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

²³Be diligent to know the state of your ^(C)flocks,
And attend to your herds;

Proverbs 27:21-23

New International Version

²¹The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,^(A)
but people are tested by their praise.

²²Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding them like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove their folly from them.

²³Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,^(B)
give careful attention to your herds;

New King James Version (NKJV)

New International Version (NIV)