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

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

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

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Footnotes

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

19 A brother who has been wronged is harder to regain than a strong city,
and disputes are like a bar across the gate of a citadel.

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

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Footnotes

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

24 A man with many acquaintances may suffer harm,
but there is a loving friend who sticks closer than a brother.

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

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A person who acquires intelligence[a] loves his life.[b]
A person who guards understanding finds a good thing.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:8 Literally heart
  2. Proverbs 19:8 Or his soul

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

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Footnotes

  1. 20.28 Gk: Heb loyalty

28 Mercy and truth protect a king,
and he maintains his throne with mercy.

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

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17 Whoever loves pleasure will be poor.
Whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 21.21 Gk: Heb life and righteousness

21 A person who pursues righteousness and mercy
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.

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

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Open correction is better than concealed love.
Wounds from someone who loves you can be trusted,
but the kisses of someone who hates you are too much.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:6 Or are deceitful

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)

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Footnotes

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

Olive oil and incense bring joy to a heart,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his sincere advice.[a]
10 Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend,
and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you.
A neighbor who is near is better than a brother who is far away.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:9 Or is better than your own advice

A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad,
    but a companion of prostitutes destroys wealth.(A)

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A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but one who visits prostitutes destroys his wealth.

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