19 A wound rin the eye maketh tears to flow,

And a (heart)-woundr ssevereth friendships.

20 tHe that throweth a stone at birds scareth them away,

And he that reproachethu a friend dissolveth friendship.

21 Even if thou draw the sword against a friend,

Despair not, for there is va way outv;

22 Andw if thou open thyx mouth against a friend,

Fear not, for there is a (way of) reconciliation;

yBut reproach and arrogance, and betrayal of a secret, and a deceitful blow,—

In (face of) these every friend will departy.

23 Supportz thy neighbour in his poverty,

That in his prosperitya thou mayst rejoiceb;

Remain truec to him in the time of hisd affliction,

That thou mayst be heir with him in his inheritancee.

24 [eeBefore the fire is the smoke of the furnacef,

So revilings before bloodshed].ee

S 25 gBe not ashamed of a friend who becometh poorg,

G hAnd ihide not thyselfi from his faceh;

26 kFor kkif evil happen unto himl through theell k,

Whosoever heareth it will beware of theem.

(i) 22:27–23:6. The Need of Self-control

(= 2 + 4 + 1 + 2 distichs).

G