(A)Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
Faithful are (B)the wounds of a friend;
    profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
One who is full loathes (C)honey,
    but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
Like (D)a bird that strays from its nest
    is a man who strays from his home.
(E)Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
    and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.[a]
10 Do not forsake your friend and (F)your father's friend,
    and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity.
(G)Better is a neighbor who is near
    than a brother who is far away.
11 (H)Be wise, (I)my son, and (J)make my heart glad,
    that I may (K)answer him who reproaches me.
12 (L)The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
    but (M)the simple go on and suffer for it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel

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