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

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁴ A man who has friends ^[a]must himself be friendly,
^(A)But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

⁸ He who gets ^[a]wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding ^(A)will find good.

^28 (A)Mercy and truth preserve the king,
And by ^[a]lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

^21 (A)He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.