Add parallel Print Page Options

17 A friend loves at all times;
    and a brother is born for adversity.

Read full chapter

17 A friend loves at all times,
    and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.(A)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city.
    Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

Read full chapter

19 An ally offended is stronger than a city;[a]
    such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 18.19 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain

19 A brother wronged(A) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

Read full chapter

24 A man of many companions may be ruined,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Read full chapter

24 Some[a] friends play at friendship,[b]
    but a true friend sticks closer than one’s sibling.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 18.24 Syr Tg: Heb A man of
  2. 18.24 Cn Compare Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(A)

Read full chapter

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul.
    He who keeps understanding shall find good.

Read full chapter

To get wisdom is to love oneself;
    to keep understanding is to prosper.(A)

Read full chapter

The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.(A)

Read full chapter

28 Love and faithfulness keep the king safe.
    His throne is sustained by love.

Read full chapter

28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and his throne is upheld by righteousness.[a](A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 20.28 Gk: Heb loyalty

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
    through love(A) his throne is made secure.(B)

Read full chapter

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
    He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.

Read full chapter

17 Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want;
    whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.

Read full chapter

17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(A)

Read full chapter

21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness
    finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Read full chapter

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life[a] and honor.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 21.21 Gk: Heb life and righteousness

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
    finds life, prosperity[a](A) and honor.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness

Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
The wounds of a friend are faithful,
    although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

Read full chapter

Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.(A)
Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts,
    but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Read full chapter

Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.(A)

Read full chapter

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart;
    so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
10 Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend.
    Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.
    A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother.

Read full chapter

Perfume and incense make the heart glad,
    but the soul is torn by trouble.[a]
10 Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your parent;
    do not go to the house of your kindred in the day of your calamity.
Better is a neighbor who is nearby
    than kindred who are far away.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 27.9 Gk: Heb the sweetness of a friend is better than one’s own counsel

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

10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster(B) strikes you—
    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Read full chapter