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Perfume and incense make the heart glad,
but the sweetness of a friend is a fragrant forest.[a]
10 Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend.
Do not go to a relative’s home when you are in trouble.
A neighbor living nearby is better than a relative far away.

11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad
so that I can answer anyone who criticizes me.

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Footnotes

  1. 27:9 Or “is sincere advice.”

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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