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

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19 
A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city,
And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.

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24 
The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,
But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.

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He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.

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28 
Loyalty and mercy, truth and faithfulness, protect the king,
And he upholds his throne by lovingkindness.

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17 
He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves and is devoted to [a]wine and [olive] oil will not become rich.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:17 I.e. items associated with lavish feasting and excessive luxury.

21 
He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.(A)

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Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction]
Than love that is hidden.(A)

Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern],
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].

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Oil and perfume make the heart glad;
So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.
10 
Do not abandon your own friend and your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

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A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful,
But he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

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