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

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

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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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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

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.(A)

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Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts,
    but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

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Perfume(A) and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

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Perfume and incense make the heart glad,
    but the soul is torn by trouble.[a]

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Footnotes

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

10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster(A) strikes you—
    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

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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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