32 for the devious are detestable to the Lord,
but he is a friend[a] to the upright.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:32 Or confidential counsel

32 For the Lord detests the perverse(A)
    but takes the upright into his confidence.(B)

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30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(A)
but a cunning person takes lives.(B)

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30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(A)
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

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26 A righteous person is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[a]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 12:26 Or person guides his neighbor

26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(A)

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20 A poor person is hated even by his neighbor,(A)
but there are many who love the rich.(B)

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20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(A)

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28 A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(A)

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28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(A)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(B)

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Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,(A)
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.(B)

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Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(A)
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(B)

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17 A friend loves at all times,(A)
and a brother is born for a difficult time.

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

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19 An offended brother is harder to reach[a]
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

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Footnotes

  1. 18:19 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger

19 A brother wronged(A) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

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24 One with many friends may be harmed,[a]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 18:24 Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(A)

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Wealth attracts many friends,(A)
but a poor person is separated from his friend.

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Wealth attracts many friends,
    but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.(A)

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Many seek a ruler’s favor,(A)
and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.(B)

All the brothers of a poor person hate him;(C)
how much more do his friends
keep their distance from him!
He may pursue them with words,(D)
but they are not there.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 19:7 Hb uncertain

Many curry favor with a ruler,(A)
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.(B)

The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
    how much more do their friends avoid them!(C)
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
    they are nowhere to be found.[a](D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.

Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy person?(A)

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Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?(A)

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