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Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
The wounds of a friend are faithful,
    although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

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An open rebuke is better
    than unspoken love.
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

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart;
    so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
10 Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend.
    Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.
    A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother.

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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

14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,
    it will be taken as a curse by him.

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14 A friend’s loud blessing early in the morning
    will be thought of as a curse.

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17 Iron sharpens iron;
    so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:17 Lit. countenance