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Like a bird that strays from its nest
    is a man who wanders away from his home.[a]

Ointments and perfume encourage the heart;
    in a similar way, a friend’s advice is sweet to the soul.[b]

10 Never abandon your friend nor your father’s friend,
    and don’t go to your brother’s house in times of trouble.
A neighbor who is near is better
    than a brother who lives far away.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:8 Lit. place
  2. Proverbs 27:9 So MT; LXX reads heart; but through misfortune the soul is torn apart

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.

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

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