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.

17  Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,

lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

20  Whoever ^jsings songs to a heavy heart

is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

and like vinegar on soda.

18  Like a madman who throws ^ofirebrands, arrows, and death

19  is the man who deceives his neighbor

and says, “I am only joking!”

5  ^cBetter is open rebuke

than hidden love.

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

14  Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,

rising early in the morning,

will be counted as cursing.

17  Iron sharpens iron,

and one man sharpens another.¹

23  Whoever ^prebukes a man will afterward find more favor

than ^qhe who flatters with his tongue.

5  ⁱA man who flatters his neighbor

spreads ^ja net for his feet.