Proverbs 27:4-11

English Standard Version

⁴Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
    but who can stand before ^(A)jealousy?
⁵^(B)Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
⁶Faithful are ^(C)the wounds of a friend;
    profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
⁷One who is full loathes ^(D)honey,
    but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
⁸Like ^(E)a bird that strays from its nest
    is a man who strays from his home.
⁹^(F)Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
    and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.^[a]
¹⁰Do not forsake your friend and ^(G)your father's friend,
    and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity.
^(H)Better is a neighbor who is near
    than a brother who is far away.
¹¹^(I)Be wise, ^(J)my son, and ^(K)make my heart glad,
    that I may ^(L)answer him who reproaches me.

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Footnotes

Proverbs 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel

Proverbs 27:4-11

New International Version

⁴Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?^(A)

⁵Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.

⁶Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.^(B)

⁷One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

⁸Like a bird that flees its nest^(C)
is anyone who flees from home.

⁹Perfume^(D) and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfelt advice.

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

¹¹Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;^(F)
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.^(G)

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