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One who is full spurns honey;
    but to the hungry, any bitter thing is sweet.
Like a bird far from the nest
    so is anyone far from home.[a]
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    but by grief the soul is torn asunder.

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Footnotes

  1. 27:8 The bird symbolizes vulnerability as it flees before danger as in Is 10:14; 16:2; and Ps 11:1. For the importance of place in human life, see Jb 20:8–9. People are defined by their place, but, tragically, war, poverty, or illness can force them from it.

One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that flees its nest(A)
    is anyone who flees from home.

Perfume(B) and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

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