20  Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

17  ^kA friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.

24  A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but ^zthere is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19  Whoever ^egoes about slandering reveals secrets;

therefore do not associate with ^fa simple babbler.¹

24  Make no friendship with a man given to anger,

nor go with a wrathful man,

25  lest you learn his ways

and entangle yourself in a snare.

1  Be not ^uenvious of evil men,

nor desire to be ^vwith them,

21  My son, ^zfear the Lord and the king,

and do not join with those who do otherwise,

6  Faithful are ^dthe wounds of a friend;

profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

9  ^gOil and perfume make the heart glad,

and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.¹

10  Do not forsake your friend and ^hyour father’s friend,

and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity.

ⁱBetter is a neighbor who is near

than a brother who is far away.

17  Iron sharpens iron,

and one man sharpens another.¹

11  A fool gives full vent to his spirit,

but a wise man quietly holds it back.