23 The poor plead for mercy,

but the rich answer harshly.

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

23 The poor use entreaties,

but the rich answer roughly.

24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

23 The poor useth intreaties; But the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

23 The poor plead for mercy;

the rich answer with insults.

24 There are “friends” who destroy each other,

but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

23 The poor man uses entreaties,

But the rich answers roughly.

24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly,

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

23 The poor beg for mercy,

but the rich give rude answers.

24 Some friends may ruin you,

but a real friend will be more loyal than a brother.

23 The poor useth entreaties;

But the rich answereth roughly.

24 He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction;

But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man of many friends will come to ruin but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

23 A poor person is timid when begging, 

but a rich person is blunt when replying. 

24 Friends can destroy one another,

but a loving friend can stick closer than family. 

23 The poor man pleads,

but the rich one answers roughly.

24 A man with many friends may be harmed,

but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

23 The poor use entreaties,

but the rich answer roughly.

24 Some friends play at friendship

but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.

23 The poor may speak entreaties,

but the rich will answer roughly.

24 A man of many friends will come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

23 Poor people beg for mercy.

But rich people answer in a mean way.

24 Even a man who has many companions can be destroyed.

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.