²⁶ One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,^[a]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁰ Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

⁷ Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

^17 (A)A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity.

²⁴ A man of many companions may come to ruin,
    but ^(A)there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

24 Be not ^(A)envious of evil men,
    nor desire to be ^(B)with them,
² for their hearts ^(C)devise violence,
    and their lips ^(D)talk of trouble.

¹⁶ If you have ^(A)found honey, eat ^(B)only enough for you,
    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
¹⁷ Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
    lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

⁸ Like ^(A)a bird that strays from its nest
    is a man who strays from his home.
^9 (B)Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
    and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.^[a]
10 Do not forsake your friend and ^(C)your father's friend,
    and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity.
^(D)Better is a neighbor who is near
    than a brother who is far away.

²⁴ The partner of a thief ^(A)hates his own life;
    ^(B)he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.