9. As ointment and perfume gladden the heart, so the sweetness of one’s friend comes from his sincere counsel.
10. Do not forsake your friend, or your father’s friend, nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster— better a neighbor nearby than a brother far off.
11. Be wise, my son, make my heart glad, so I may answer anyone who taunts me.
12. The prudent see danger and hide, but the naïve keep going and pay the penalty.
13. Take a man’s garment, who puts up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge, as security for a seductive woman.
14. If someone blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.
15. Continual dripping on a day of steady rain and a contentious wife are alike—
16. hiding her is like hiding the wind or grasping oil with the right hand.
17. As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens the countenance of his friend.
18. Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, whoever takes care of his master will be honored.
19. As water reflects the face, so a person’s heart reflects the person.
20. Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.
21. A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold, but a person is proved by the praise he receives.
22. Even if you pound the fool along with the grain in a mortar with a pestle, his foolishness would never leave him.
23. Know well the condition of your flocks, pay attention to your herds,
24. for riches are not forever, nor a crown from generation to generation.
25. When hay is removed and grass appears, and grain from the hills is gathered in,
26. lambs will provide you with clothing, and goats with the price of a field.