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Perfume and incense make you feel good, and so does good advice from a friend.

10 Don’t forget your own friends or your father’s friends. If you have a problem, go to your neighbor for help. It is better to ask a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

11 My son, be wise. This will make me happy. Then I will be able to answer those who criticize me.

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

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

11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;(C)
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.(D)

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