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11 Whoever loves purity[a] and gracious speech
    will gain the king as his friend.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:11 Lit. purity of heart

11 He who loves purity of heart
    and hasgracious speech,[a] his friend is the king.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:11 Literally “grace of his lips”

24 Don’t make friends with a hot-tempered man,
    and do not associate with someone who is easily angered,

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24 Do not befriend an owner[a] of anger,[b]
    and with a man of wrath you shall not associate;

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:24 Or “master”
  2. Proverbs 22:24 Literally “nostril”

26 A kiss on the lips—
    that’s what someone who gives an honest answer deserves.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:26 The Heb. lacks deserves

26 He will kiss the lips,
    he who gives an honest answer.

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Wounds from someone who loves are trustworthy,
    but kisses from an enemy speak volumes.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:6 Lit. enemy are profuse

The wounds of a friend mean well,
    but the kisses of an enemy are profane.

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

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 27:9 So MT; LXX reads heart; but through misfortune the soul is torn apart

Perfume and incense will gladden a heart,
    and the pleasantness of one’s friend is personal advice.[a]
10 As for your friend and a friend of your father, do not forsake them,
    and the house of your brother, do not enter on the day of your calamity.
    Better is a close neighbor than a distant brother.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:9 Literally “because of advice of a person”

17 Iron sharpens iron;
    so a man sharpens a friend’s character.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:17 Lit. countenance

17 As iron sharpens[a] iron,
    so one man sharpens another.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:17 Or “is united with”
  2. Proverbs 27:17 Literally “a man sharpens the faces of his friend”

Whoever keeps the Law is a discerning son,
    but whoever keeps company with gluttons
        brings shame to his father.

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He who keeps instruction is a child of understanding,
    but the companion of gluttons will shame his father.

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A strong man who flatters his neighbor
    is setting a trap where he walks.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:5 Lit. trap for his footsteps

A strong man who flatters his neighbor
    is spreading a net for his feet.

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